Middlesex County

A special thanks goes to Andrew McGinnis of Belmont, Massachusetts, who has sent me some reports for Middlesex County. Maureen Cauvel has reported a Hyles gallii larva from Ashby, confirmed with image. Madeline Champagne reports sighting of two large Sphecodina abbottii larvae in Sherborn, July 6, 2007, and writes, "I just posted on Masslep that I saw two of these caterpillars today - the banded form. I was at a building where vines cover the building, and was on the little front porch and looked up to see the vines growing across the ceiling and suddenly noticed the two caterpillars. They are so big and so very beautiful. I'm not sure what the vines are, I'll have to check out Ampelopsis and see if thats what they are. I'm sure the brown form of larva is much harder to see, I'll have to look more carefully at the ceiling to see if there are any of those."

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 Middlesex (ten 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.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata WO stray This species is not reported in Middlesex County but may occur 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 WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Middlesex, but 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 WO, the Catalpa Sphinx This is generally a more southerly species, but it has been recorded in northwards of Middlesex County. 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 USGS, the Waved Sphinx This moth is recorded in Middlesex, and has been observed to the north, west and south. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Middlesex, but it has been taken to the north, west and south. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx Reported from Middlesex, 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 USGS, the Southern Pine Sphinx The Southern Pine Sphinx is widely reported in Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont. If you've got pines, this species is likely present. Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx This species is probably present in Worcester County. 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 quinquemaculatus WO the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is not officially recorded in Middlesex, but I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you have encountered it. Manduca sexta USGS, 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 chersis USGS, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is probably still present but may not be common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is probably present, but has not been officially reported. 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 This species is probably present in Middlesex County. 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 WO, the Laurel Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Middlesex, but 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. Sphinx luscitiosa USGS, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is reported from Middlesex, and it flies to the south and west in Massachusetts and can be fairly common in New Hampshire and Maine. Sphinx poecila USGS, 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 WO, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north, west and south of Middlesex. This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey. See the file for the female; she is different. Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is found to the north, west and south of Middlesex so it is probably present there too. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx This moth would likely be rare in Middlesex, but may be present. 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 excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Middlesex I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Middlesex. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common so I suspect it is in Middlesex. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris thysbe AM, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is confirmed for Middlesex (7-24-94 AM). They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Hemaris gracilis USGS, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day flier is not commonly reported, but is present in Middlesex (7-24-94). Hemaris diffinis AM/ USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widely distributed and often reported north, west and south of Middlesex as well as in that county. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not officially reported for Middlesex, but 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 pandorus WO, 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. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis AM/ USGS, the Nessus Sphinix 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. 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. Maureen Cauvel found a larva, October 6 in Ashby. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. 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. 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. Sphecodina abbottii: Madeline Champagne reports sighting of two mature larvae, July 6, 2007 in Sherborn.

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.

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