DISTRIBUTION:

The Salicet sphinx, Smerinthus saliceti (wing span: 2 5/8 - 3 1/2 inches (6.7 - 8.9 cm)), flies in valleys and along streamsides from Mexico City north to west Texas, New Mexico, southern Arizona, and extreme southern California.

The forewing outer margin is wavy, but the apex is not nearly as much produced as in cerisyi, and the upperside of forewing is gray-brown with distinct dark and light bands. The upperside of the hindwing is mostly red with a yellow-tan outer margin and a blue spot which is usually divided by a V-shaped black line.

CATE indicates this species is more orangey-brown than the very similar grey to grey brown Smerinthus cerisyi from further north and east. The hindwing eyspot is also somewhat different. In Smerinthus cerisyi, the hindwing dorsal eyespot has the black mark in the centre of the blue area circular or diamond shaped and completely surrounded by blue, whereas in Smerinthus saliceti the blue spot is divided by a downwardly angulate band that touches the lateral, black borders.

Smerinthus saliceti male, on my home computer only.

Smerinthus saliceti male, Lake Arrowhead, San Bernardino County, California,
July 8, 2014, courtesy of Krystal Kinney, via Daniel Marlos of What's that Bug;
identification by Bill Oehlke.

In 2011, Smerinthus ophthalmica from western Canada and western US was removed from synonymity with Smerinthus cerisyi.

Of the three species, cerisyi shows the greyest overall forewing ground colour with the most produced forewing apex and most irregular forewing outer margin. There also seems to be more contrast in the light and dark regions of the forewing in cerisyi than in either of the other two species. In cerisyi there is also a more crescentric light coloured, subapical arc. In the other two species, this marking is more of a beigey white line with little or no return toward the outer margin in its lower extremity.

Of the three species, saliceti, with a decidely more southern range, seems to be the least grey, most brown, with least contrast on the forwing. The forewing apex is only slightly produced, and although the outer margin is irregular, it is much smoother than the outer margin of cerisyi.

I find that Smerinthus saliceti is more evenly coloured, less contrasting, than either of the other two species. Smerinthus ophthalmica seems intermediate between saliceti and cerisyi. A view of the hindwings is often very helpful as is location in making determinations.

Smerinthus saliceti, Encinitas, northern/coastal San Diego County, California,
August 21, 2007, 5:00pm, courtesy of Don Doerfler, Digital Camera: Olympus 5060, 8MP

Don writes, "I'm just blocks away from a large lagoon and wetland open space preserve- San Elijo Lagoon. I also have a sub-tropical landscaped back yard with pool. These pictures were taken just outside my back door, the moth is hanging on my huge Epidendren orchids (which are native to Mexico as well)."

I suspect the wetland habitat has willows and/or poplars, the larval hosts of this species.

Smerinthus saliceti, Encinitas, northern/coastal San Diego County, California,
August 21, 2007, 5:00pm, courtesy of Don Doerfler, Digital Camera: Olympus 5060, 8MP

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Smerinthus saliceti adults are on the wing from April-September, probably as two broods.

Larvae feed on willow (Salix) or poplar (Populus).

Smerinthus saliceti, male and female courtesy of Bruce Walsh.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Adults do not feed.

Smerinthus saliceti, Encinitas, northern/coastal San Diego County, California,
August 21, 2007, 5:00pm, courtesy of Don Doerfler, Digital Camera: Olympus 5060, 8MP

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

There are two colour morphs, one a pale green and one lime green. Larvae feed on willow (Salix) or poplar (Populus).

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Populus....... Salix

Poplar Willow

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