Essex County

This page, inspired by Sharon Stichter, is dedicated to Matthew D. Arey (MDA) from Boxford, Massachusetts. Matthew has been recording Sphingidae sightings since 1979.

Forty-one Sphingidae species are listed for Massachusetts on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Essex (only two are reported on U.S.G.S.). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you are likely to encounter.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in your county, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present. An * indicates the moth is reported in Lepidoptera of North America, #1. Distribution of Silkmoths (Saturniidae) and Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of Eastern North America, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an electronic image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

Eumorpha achemon, Rockport, Essex County, Massachusetts, courtesy of Kim Smith.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata MDA stray This species is enountered in Essex County (Topsfield, August 30, 1994) as a stray from much further south. The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range. Ceratomia amyntor MDA, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is officially recorded in Essex (May and July), and it has been taken in eastern Maine and eastern New Hampshire and in much of Connecticut. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia catalpae MDA, the Catalpa Sphinx This is generally a more southerly species, but it has been recorded in Boxford, June 27, 1998. I saw them in great numbers in New Jersey. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Ceratomia undulosa MDA, the Waved Sphinx This moth is recorded in Essex (Boxford July 8, 2001, May 21, 2004 and Topsfield July 18, 1995) and has been observed to the north, west and south. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus MDA, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is recorded in Essex (Boxford June 23, 1999; June 12, 2002) it has been taken to the north, west and south. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides MDA, the Northern Pine Sphinx Reported from Essex (Topsfield and Boxford, July), it is widely reported in Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont. This is another one we have on P.E.I. Lapara coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx Although not officially reported from Essex, it is widely reported in Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont. If you've got pines, this species might be present. northeastern range limit. Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray-brown with wavy lines, black dashes, and one or two small white spots near the center of the costa. Manduca jasminearum MDA the Ash Sphinx This species is recorded in Essex (Boxford, June 17, 1997). This moth usually is not found north of Connecticut. Matthew's sighting in Boxford is unusual, but this moth is a strong flier. Manduca quinquemaculata MDA the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is recorded in Essex (Boxford and Danvers, August-September). I suspect if you grow tomatoes you have encountered it. Manduca sexta MDA, the Carolina Sphinx This species is recorded in Essex (Boxford, June and August). If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx The absence of the white spot on each forewing and the more brownish coloration serve to separate S. canadensis from S. poecilus. The hindwing fringe also tends to be white on poecilus and checkered brownish on canadensis. Sphinx chersis MDA, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is probably still present (Boxford, 1979) but may not be common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum MDA, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is presentand has been taken in Middleton and Boxford in May/June and August. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx Colouration and markings are highly variable from one specimen to another. The fringes on forewing are mostly black with some white; those on the hindwing are mostly white with a few black patches. Sphinx kalmiae MDA, the Laurel Sphinx This species is reported in Essex (Boxford and Topsfield, June). I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered. Sphinx luscitiosa MDA, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is reported from Essex (Boxford, June 1999), and it flies to the south and west in Massachusetts and can be fairly common in New Hampshire and Maine. Sphinx poecila MDA, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx. They are pretty common here on Prince Edward Island, but don't fly too far south of Massachusetts, being replaced by Sphinx gordius in Connecticut. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis MDA/Cf, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north, west and south of Essex (Boxford and Topsfield, July and August). This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey. See the file for the female; she is different. Amorpha juglandis, Ipswich, August, Sissy ffolliott. Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is found to the north, west and south of Essex so it is probably present there too. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias astylus MDA/SOS, the Huckleberry Sphinx Matthew has two sightings for Essex (June 1999, July 1997). It would be more common in southern Massachusetts and is a relatively uncommon species. Only rarely are they seen in Maine. I never saw one in New Jersey. Paonias astylus male, June 9, 2009, courtesy of Susan Oleszko-Szuts, spotted by Jason Lacroix. Paonias excaecata MDA, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Essex (Boxford, Salem, Topsfield; July). I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops MDA, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Essex (Boxford, North Andover; June-July). I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus cerisyi MDA, the Cerisyi's Sphinx Essex (Methuen, September 3, 1998) is probably the southern limit of the eastern range for this species. I never saw one in New Jersey. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common. Smerinthus jamaicensis MDA, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common so I suspect it is in Essex (Boxford, May 31 - August 22). Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Hemaris thysbe MDA, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is confirmed for Essex (Boxford, Danvers, Topsfield; June and August. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Hemaris thysbe (12 +), loving that Purple Loosestrife, July 27, 2006, Old Town Hill in Newbury; August 10, 2006, Danvers, Matthew D. Arey Hemaris thysbe, Weir Hill, North Andover, June 2, 2009, Howard Hoople Hemaris gracilis MDA, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day flier is not commonly reported, but is present in Essex (Boxford, September 7, 2001). Hemaris diffinis MDA, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widely distributed and often reported north, west and south of Essex (Boxford, June-July). Hemaris diffinis, June 7, 2007, Newbury (Old Town Hill), Matthew Arey All three of the Massachusetts Hemaris species are day fliers and can easily be confused. Look for a definite bumblebee appearance to the abdomen of Hemaris diffinis with a black area, followed by wide yellow bands and a dark abdominal tip. The dark outer margins on all wings are greatly reduced, especially on the hindwings, compared to the other species. Hemaris thysbe and Hemaris gracilis are more dificult to distinguish. H. thysbe is slightly larger, but the key is the irregular appearance of the inner side of the forewing outer margin burgundy scales. In H. gracilis the inner side of the outer margin is smooth. If you are lucky enough to view the undersides, just below the wing junctures H. gracilis has dark bars, while H. thysbe is paler, without the bars. H. diffinis has black legs, H. gracilis has reddish legs and H. thysbe has beige-white legs. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon MDA, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is reported for Essex (Boxford, June 18, 1997), and it is fairly often reported along the coast from southern New Jersey to central Maine. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. Eumorpha fasciatus MDA, the Banded Sphinx This moth is a very strong flier and is often reported far north of its normal range. It would be a rare stray to Essex (Boxford, July 9, 1997), Eumorpha pandorus MDA, the Pandorus Sphinx 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. Topsfield, August 21, 1995. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis MDA, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed (Topsfield, Groveland; June). If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Amphion floridensis, 3, June 7, 2007, Newbury (Old Town Hill), Matthew Arey Darapsa choerilus MDA, the Azalea Sphinx 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. Matthew reports it in June-July in Boxford Darapsa myron MDA, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Essex County (Boxford, July). It is widely reported as far north as southern Maine. If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. Darapsa versicolor MDA, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrnagea Sphinx. It has not been widely reported (Boxford: July 29, 1984), however, and probably is uncommon or not present. Deidamia inscriptum MDA, the Lettered Sphinx This species has been recorded in western Massachusetts and just south of Essex so it is not surprising to find Matthew's sighting in Boxford, May 16, 1997. It is generally absent to the north so would be uncommon. Hyles gallii MDA, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in Topsfield and Boxford in June. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles gallii (4), July 27, 2006, Old Town Hill in Newbury, Matthew D. Arey Hyles lineata MDA, the White-lined Sphinx This species is reported from Essex County (May 17, 1999). It is a strong migrator from the south, and there are records from the west and to the north. Hyles lineata (1), July 27, 2006, Old Town Hill in Newbury, Matthew D. Arey Sphecodina abbottii MDA, the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported (Boxford, Topsfield, Danvers; May-June). It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.

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