The Sphingidae of Manitoba

Liz writes, "I saw your website on the above moth, thanks to a friend of mine.

"I found it interesting. I had no idea what this was. I've seen them here the last couple of years, and I caught this one last night at dusk and after just a bit of rain.

"Do they overwinter here?"

I do not think this species overwinters in Canada, as I have no reports of spring or early summer sightings, except in British Columbia.

Hyles lineata, St. Andrews, Manitoba,
August 16, 2010, courtesy of Andy & Patty Simmons, and Robert Snyder.

This website is designed and maintained by Bill Oehlke. Please send sightings (date, location, species) and/or images to Bill.

Many thanks to Tina August who provides the following image of Eumorpha achemon from Brandon, Manitoba.

Eumorpha achemon, Brandon, Manitoba,
August 10, 2013, courtesy of Tina August.

Tina writes, "Hi there,
"I wanted to share these photos with you of my fearless daughter who loves moths. She found this one and nicknamed her McKayla the moth. I posted it online and a friend sent me to your website. This picture was taken in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
"Could you please confirm what kind of moth this is? We have never see one like this.
"Kind regards,
"Tina August"

I reply,
"Hi Tina,
"Mckayla the moth is Eumorpha achemon, one of the Sphingidae. This species is not often seen in Manitoba, but can be quite common further to the south in most of the United States.
"Thanks for thinking of me and sharing the images you sent.
"Bill Oehlke"

Bob Scott confirms Sphecodina abbottii in Winnipeg, Manitoba, He writes, "We found about 15 to 20 larvae both green and brown on our englemann ivy in Winnipeg, MB in the last couple of days. The date was June 28th, 2018.
"The larger ones were approximately 3 1/2 inches long and close to 2 cm in diameter."

Sphecodina abbottii fifth instar on Engelmann' s Ivy,
Winnipeg, Manitoba. June 28, 2018, courtesy of Bob Scott.

Apparently Sphecodina abbottii females deposit relatively large clusters of eggs on various ivies. Merina Dobson Perry sends the following images from the south end of Winnipeg, July 8, 2019. She writes, "Found your info while trying to identify a caterpillar species which has very suddenly appeared and decimated our creeper vine! I m pretty sure they are Abbott s Sphinx. There must be at least 30 of them out there. In the last photo you can see how much damage they ve done. They sure are hungry!"

Sphecodina abbottii fourth instar, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
July 8, 2019, Merina Dobson Perry.

Sphecodina abbottii fifth instar, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
July 8, 2019, Merina Dobson Perry.

Sphecodina abbottii fifth instar, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
July 8, 2019, Merina Dobson Perry.

Sphecodina abbottii creeper damage, Winnipeg, Manitoba,
July 8, 2019, Merina Dobson Perry.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata RW stray Ceratomia amyntor** Ceratomia undulosa** Lapara bombycoides ** Sphinx chersis** Sphinx canadensis RW Sphinx drupiferarum** Sphinx gordius ** Sphinx kalmiae ** sphinx luscitiosa ** Sphinx poecila* sphinx vashti** Smerinthini Tribe: Laothoe juglandis Amorpha juglandis** Pachysphinx modesta** Paonias excaecata** Paonias myops** Smerinthus cerisyi** Smerinthus jamaicensis**

Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe:mm Aellopos titan ** rare stray Hemaris aethra Hemaris diffinis ** Hemaris gracilis ** Hemaris thysbe ** Philampelini tribe:mm Eumorpha achemon ** rare Eumorpha labruscae RW stray Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis ** Darapsa myron** Darapsa pholus** Hyles euphorbiae Hyles gallii** Hyles lineata** Proserpinus flavofasciatus ** Proserpinus juanita ** Sphecodina abbottii BS Goto Thumbnail Checklist of moths for quick identification. Goto Thumbnail Checklist of larvae for quick id. Return to Index by Nation Return to Canadian Index Return to Main Sphingidae Index

List adapted by Bill Oehlke from North Dakota list, ** confirmed from Rev. Ron Hooper list, courtesy of Gary Anweiler, Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild.

Richard Westwood, Dept. of Biology, University of Winnipeg, indicates "I checked your sphinx moth website and noted a couple of additions of interest. Sphinx canadensis does not seem to be on your Manitoba list (It is moderately common here). Also a stray Eupmorpha labruscae was caught in Winnipeg Aug 24/1971 and a stray Agrius cingulata on Aug 8/1986. They are both located in the Manitoba Provincial Museum collection."

I have updated the lists.

In February 2004, I received this image of Hyles euphorbiae, taken in July in Neepawa, Manitoba, courtesy of Terrance Klassen. During summer of 2003, I received images from Ontario and North Dakota so it must have been a good summer for euphorbiae. The image below is from Portage La Prairie, September 21, 2005, courtesy of Esther Raven Ellington. The larvae were found on "Bachelor Buttons" by her nephews, Daniel and Peter Tully.

Hyles euphorbiae, Portage La Prairie, September 21, 2005, courtesy of Esther Raven Ellington.

Hyles euphorbiae, Minnedosa, August 20, 2006, courtesy of Olive Cameron.

Olive writes, "I found these Hyles euphorbiae eating my Euphorbiae plant on Aug.20 in Minnedosa, Manitoba. There were six of them - 8-9cm long. Beautiful caterpillars! I thought you may be interested. We transferred them to a field with leafy spurge, as I didn't appreciate them ruining my plant."

Melanie Shura and Sophie Hannaford confirm this species in Winnipeg, Manitoba, with a mature larva find on August 4, 2007, confirmed with image.

Many thanks also to Wiiliam Stadnyk who sends the following image of Sphinx kalmiae larva, feeding on lilac.

Sphinx kalmiae, Rossman Lake, Manitoba, courtesy of William Stadnyk.