The Sphingidae of Alaska

Hyles gallii larva on Epilobium, Delta Junction, Alaska, August 8, 2005,
courtesy of Danielle (Ellie) Mason via Andrea Mather.

Hyles gallii fifth instar, Wasilla, Alaska,
August 13, 2012, courtesy of Julie Stotts.

Hyles gallii fifth instar, Pt. MacKenzie, Alaska,
September 24, 2012, courtesy of Dave Helgert.

Hemaris thysbe, Fairbanks, Alaska,
1:15 pm, June 24, 2011, courtesy of Jim Gilbert.

Thumbnail Checklist (adult moths):

Smerinthus cerisyi USGS/JS, the Cerisyi's Sphinx If you have willows and poplars nearby, you've probably got populations of the Cerisyi's Sphinx. The hindwings are quite striking. Smerinthus cerisyi, Tok, June 30, 2004, Joel Szymczyk Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth The wings are basically clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. The thorax is golden-brown to dark greenish-brown. The abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments just before the end. Hemaris thysbe WO/JG, the Hummingbird Clearwing It is not difficult to see why many gardeners would mistake an Hemaris thysbe moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube. Hemaris thysbe, Southcentral Alaska: Index Lake, Fairbanks vicinity, Ken Philip. Hemaris thysbe, Fairbanks, 1:15pm, June 24, 2011, Jim Gilbert Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx The thick, cream-coloured, slightly irregular, diagonal line on the forewing as well as the absence of much thinner "white lines/streaks" distinguish this species from Hyles lineata. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx: Fw upperside is medium to dark brown with a faint to distinct white median band. Hw upperside is dark brown with a wide orange median band which may not reach the inner margin. The moth mimics a bumblebee.

Thumbnail Checklist (larvae):

Smerinthus cerisyi WO, Cerisy's Sphinx; Cerisyi larvae greatly resemble modesta larvae, both being pale green, with granular skin, pale lateral diagonal lines, faint red spiracular circles, and very pale longitudinal lines running from the head to a more pronounced anal diagonal line. Larvae have green heads bounded dorsally with a pale yellow inverted "V". Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth: Larval host plants include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum) and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn is black with a yellow base. Hemaris thysbe USGS, the Hummingbird Clearwing There is also an orangey-pink prepupal form. The lateral line runs from S1 to the blue horn. Hemaris thysbe larvae feed on viburnum and related plants. Hyles gallii WO/EMvAM/CS/DH, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx Larvae come in black and in brown forms and often feed on Epilobium (fireweed). Hyles gallii larva, Fairbanks, Alaska, August 4, 2010, courtesy of Kyle Campbell. Hyles gallii larva on Epilobium, Delta Junction, Alaska, August 8, 2005, courtesy of Danielle (Ellie) Mason via Andrea Mather. Hyles gallii larva, near Wasilla, Alaska; 61d37m north, 149d23m49s west; feeding on fireweed; September 18, 2011; Carl Seutter Hyles gallii larva, Anchorage, Alaska; 61° 8'10.09"N Latitude and 149°46'27.07"W; September 24, 2011; Joel Adams Hyles gallii fifth instar, Pt. MacKenzie, Alaska, September 24, 2012, courtesy of Dave Helgert. Hyles gallii WO/KC/JS, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This brown form is from Fairbanks, Alaska, August 4, 2010, courtesy of Kyle Campbell. The larva pupated within one week of being photographed. Hyles gallii fifth instar, Wasilla, Alaska, August 13, 2012, courtesy of Julie Stotts. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, Yellow-banded Day Sphinx, Larvae feed on willow weed (Epilobium) and possibly thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus).