Manitoba, Canada
Sphingidae

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Andy & Patty Simmons of St. Andrews, Manitoba, and Robert Snyder of Grand Rapids, Manitoba. Robert sent me email correspondence, requesting id assistance on beautiful images provided by Andy & Patty Simmons.

Thirty-two Sphingidae species are listed for Manitoba, based on communication from Gary Anweiler, Alberta Lepidopterists' Guild who provided the Rev. Ron Hooper list. Richard Westwood, Dept. of Biology, University of Winnipeg, provided some additional sightings, some of ray strays.

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 as a stray only, Pink-spotted Hawkmoth stray This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to Ontario as a rare stray. Ceratomia amyntor, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is brown with dark brown and white markings including a white costal area near the wing base, dark streaks along the veins, and a white spot in the cell. southern half Ceratomia catalpae southeastern Ceratomia undulosa abundant, the Waved Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale brownish gray with wavy black and white lines and a black-outlined white cell spot. The upperside of the hindwing is gray with diffuse darker bands. southern half Lapara bombycoides, the Northern Pine Sphinx If you have pines, you probably have this species. It also flies on P.E.I. southern half Manduca quinquemaculatus extreme southwestern Lintneria eremitus southeast only Sphinx canadensis, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). southeast Sphinx chersis, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is present and is probably common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. southern fifth Sphinx drupiferarum, the Wild Cherry Sphinx southern half Sphinx gordius probably poecila, the Apple Sphinx The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders. southern quarter Sphinx kalmiae , the Laurel Sphinx The lower forewings are predominantly brownish-yellow with a fairly wide dark bar along the inner margin. At rest the wings hug the body, giving the moth a long slender look. siouthern quarter Sphinx luscitiosa , the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is reported from Ontario, but it is generally not common. widespread Sphinx poecila abundant, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you might have the Poecila Sphinx. They are pretty common here on Prince Edward Island. widespread vashti extreme southwest only Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis common, the Walnut Sphinx The adults are also highly variable; sometimes wings of an individual may be all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, and may have a white or pink tinge. See the file for the female; she is different. Pachysphinx modesta common, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is recorded regularly in Ontario. Its larvae are fond of poplars and willows. at least as far north as The Pas. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias excaecata common, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is common in Ontario. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myopscommon, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Ontario. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus cerisyi common, the Cerisyi's Sphinx Smerinthus cerisyi is found in the southern regions of all Canadian provinces and in northern border states. The one-eyed sphinx is also found along the U.S. west coast, eastward to the Rockies. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common. Smerinthus jamaicensis common, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. I suspect it is present. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Aellopos titan rare migrant, stray, the Titan Sphinx. possible stray The body is dark brown with a wide white stripe across the abdomen. The wings are dark brown. The upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin. See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris thysbe common, 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. widespread Hemaris diffinis common, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth Adults mimic bumblebees and are quite variable. The wings are basically clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. The thorax is golden-brown to dark greenish-brown with 1-2 yellow segments on the abdomen. southern half Hemaris gracilis present, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day-flying moth is less common. widespread Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon rare, extreme south, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is reported for Ontario, and it is fairly often reported along the east coast from southern New Jersey to central Maine. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. labruscae rare stray Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis common, the Nessus Sphinix If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. It is officially reported from Ontario. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. southeastern Darapsa choerilus common, 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. It is confirmed for Ontario. southern third Darapsa myron present, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx 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. south central Hyles euphorbiae introduced, the Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth This species has been introduced into Ontario to try to control the spread of leafy spurge. southern Hyles gallii, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in Ontario. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. widespread Hyles lineata irregular migrant, the White-lined Sphinx This species is reported from Ontario. It flies across southern New York and has strong migrating tendancies. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. extreme south Proserpinus flavofasciata present, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This day flier is officially reported from Ontario, but it maynot be common. Look for them in meadows near coniferous forests. widespread Proserpinus juanita extreme southwest

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