This site has been created by
Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information,
especially sightings, are welcomed by Bill.
TAXONOMY:
Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802 |
MIDI MUSICcopyright C. Odenkirk ON.OFF |
The Canadian Sphinx Moth, Sphinx canadensis (Wing span: 2 3/4 - 3 3/8 inches (7 - 8.5 cm)), flies from Newfoundland west to western Ontario and into Manitoba; south to New York, Kentucky, and Arkansas. Quebec is the specimen type locality.Dr. Richard Westwood, Associate Professor Center for Forest Interdisciplinary Research and Depts. of Biology and Environmental Studies, University of Winnipeg, reports they are moderately common near Winnipeg, Manitoba. Visit Sphinx canadensis, Bailey's Harbor, Door County, Wisconsins, July 16, 2001, courtesy of Janice Stiefel. I have never seen one on Prince Edward Island. Sphinx canadensis Peterborough, Ontario, June 13, 2005, courtesy of Tim Dyson. |
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The absence of the white spot on each forewing and the more brownish coloration serve to separate canadensis from S. poecilus. The hindwing fringe also tends to be white on poecilus and checkered brownish on canadensis.
The upperside of the forewing is gray-brown or yellow-gray with black streaks along and between the veins and an interrupted white line along the outer margin. The upperside of the hindwing is black with white bands.
Sphinx canadensis, Peterborough, Ontario, June 30, 2005, courtesy of Tim Dyson.
Sphinx canadensis, Peterborough, Ontario, June 30, 2005, courtesy of Tim Dyson.
Sphinx canadensis, Medford, Taylor County, Wisconsin,
June 4, 2011, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert.
I feel it is Sphinx canadensis, based on the characters mentioned in the canadensis vs chersis comparison page, and the size comparison mentioned by Joan supports that determination.
Sphinx canadensis fifth instar on black ash, Three Rivers SGA, St. Joseph County, Michigan,
courtesy of James P. Tuttle.
Sphinx canadensis fifth instar on black ash, Three Rivers SGA, St. Joseph County, Michigan,
September 1994, courtesy of James P. Tuttle.
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