Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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Ceratomia amyntor
WO,
the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx
This moth is not recorded in Taylor County, but I suspect it is present.
Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and
cherry (Prunus). |
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This moth is now recorded in Taylor County, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert. It is named for the wavy
lines on the forewings. |
Ceratomia undulosa, July 21, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
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This species is not officially reported from Taylor.
If you have pines, you
probably have this species. It also flies on P.E.I.
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This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens
(potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found. |
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Sphinx canadensis
WO,
Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not
often reported anywhere,
but it might possibly be present in Taylor County.
Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry
(Vaccinium).
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Sphinx chersis
JFR/WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is soft dark gray to blue-gray
with a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip. |
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This species is confirmed for Taylor County by Joan F. Rickert.
Generally it is not widely reported.
Larval hosts are various species of beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis),
and sage (Salvia). |
Sphinx eremitus larva find
(immature, feeding on Monarda), August 8, 2006, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert.
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This species is not reported in Taylor County, but it should be present.
I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on
lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered.
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Sphinx kalmiae, July 28, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
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Sphinx luscitiosa
WO,
the Canadian Sphinx or
Clemen's Sphinx
This one is not reported from Taylor, but it may be present.
Sphinx luscitiosa adults fly as a single brood from June-July.
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If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the
Poecila Sphinx. They are probably widespread throughout Wisconsin,
but are very much under reported. |
Smerinthini Tribe:
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This moth is not reporterd in Taylor County but may be present.
This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey.
See the file for the female; she is different. |
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The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell
spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the
inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would
be June-July. |
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This small species is probably in Taylor County. This species ranges
across North America.
The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.
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Pachysphinx modesta
JFR/WO,
the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder is now reported in Taylor County, courtesy
of Joan F. Rickert
They are a heavy bodied species.
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Pachysphinx modesta, May 31, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
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Smerinthus cerisyi
WO/JFR, the Cerisyi's
Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx, Larvae feed on poplars and willows.
Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood.
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Smerinthus cerisyi, May 31, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
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This moth is widely distributed and fairly common, although it is
not officially
recorded in Taylor County.
Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.
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Smerinthus jamaicensis, July 15, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini Tribe:
See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish
the next three species.
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Hemaris diffinis
WO/ JFR, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth,
The moth flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens and
brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle,
snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.
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Hemaris diffinis,
June 17, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
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Hemaris gracilis
WO, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful
Clearwing
This day flier is not commonly reported, but it might be present in
Taylor County. unlikely |
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Hemaris thysbe
WO/JFR, the Hummingbird Clearwing
This interesting day flier is now confirmed for Taylor, courtesy
of Joan F. Rickert.
They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida.
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Hemaris thysbe, June 1, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
Philampelini Tribe:
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This moth is not reported for Taylor,
but it may be present.
Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. |
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If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have
this species. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas where
they have not previously been reported. |
Macroglossini Tribe:
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This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper,
you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow
yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen.
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They are common in New Jersey and common
here on Prince Edward Island.
You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus,
especially in older literature.
Taylor County may be just slightly northwest of the identified range. |
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Darapsa myron
WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the
Grapevine Sphinx
This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Taylor County.
It is widely reported in southern Michigan and in southern Ontario.
It may be present, although unlikely.
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This species has not been recorded in Taylor.
It is seen in southern Ontario, however, and in central and
southern Wisconsin. |
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Hyles gallii
WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth
or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not reported in Taylor, but it has been recorded in
eastern Wisconsin counties. I suspect it is present.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.
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Hyles lineata
JFR/WO, the White-lined Sphinx
Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they
also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats
including deserts, suburbs, and gardens. |
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This moth is very much under reported on USGS. It is a
rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections.
Grape is a popular larval host.
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