Oakland County
Sphingidae

Hemaris thysbe, July 18, 2005, courtesy of Diane Smith

Forty-six Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for Michigan. Not all of the species are reported (twenty-three by USGS) or anticipated in Oakland County. I have added thirteen species which I feel may be present.

It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you have encountered.

A WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Oakland County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Diane Smith who sent me the images of Hemaris thysbe on this page.

Special thanks goes to Kimberly Strawska Hackett who took the following picture of a Paonias myops resting on her neighbour's screen door on July 17, 2008.

Paonias myops male (note curved abdomen), Oakland County, Michigan,
July 17, 2008, courtesy of Kimberly Strawska Hackett.

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

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Oakland, but I suspect it is present. 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 just to the south and west of Oakland and may be present. 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 Oakland County. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus USGS, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is recorded in Oakland County. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx Although not officially reported from Oakland, it is reported just to the northand west of Oakland and may be present. If you have pines, you might have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx This species is not reported in Oakland. Generally it is not widely reported, but still is a possibility. Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not recorded in Oakland, which may be just north of its range. If you grow tomatoes, you have possibly encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might possibly be present in Oakland County. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sphinx chersis USGS, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is soft dark gray to blue-gray with a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip. Sphinx drupiferarum USGS, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is present in Oakland County. 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 The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders. Dashes, submarginal line, and cell spot are usually weak. Sphinx kalmiae USGS, the Laurel Sphinx This species is reported in Oakland County. I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered. Sphinx luscitiosa WO, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is not reported from Oakland, but it might be present. generally more northerly 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 USGS, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also reporterd in Oakland County. 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 USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder is reported in Oakland County. They are a heavy bodied species. Paonias excaecata USGS, the Blinded Sphinx, The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would be June-July. Paonias myops USGS/KSH, the Small-eyed Sphinx This small species is probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background. Paonias myops male, Oakland County, Michigan, July 17, 2008, courtesy of Kimberly Strawska Hackett. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx, Larvae feed on poplars and willows. Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood. I suspect it is present. Smerinthus jamaicensis USGS, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common, and it is recorded in Oakland. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini Tribe: Enyo lugubris USGS, the Mournful sphinx This moth would only be seen in Michigan as a very rare stray, probably aided in its northward flight by strong winds after a southern storm. See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth, The moth flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens and brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc. Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing Hemaris gracilis is distinguished from similar species by a pair of red-brown bands on the undersides of the thorax, which varies from green to yellow-green dorsally and sometimes brown with white underneath. They have a red abdomen. Hemaris thysbe DS/USGS, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is confirmed for Oakland. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Philampelini Tribe: Eumorpha achemon USGS, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is reported for Oakland, 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 pandorus USGS, 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 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 USGS, 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. Darapsa myron USGS, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Oakland County. 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 USGS, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrnagea Sphinx. However, it probably is uncommon. Deidamia inscriptum USGS, the Lettered Sphinx This species has been recorded in Oakland. It is also seen in southern Ontario. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported in Oakland, but it has been recorded in counties just to the south and east. I suspect it is present. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens. Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported on USGS. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host. Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx This moth is much more common to the south and east. It is a strong migrant, however, and may stray to Oakland.

Hemaris thysbe, July 18, 2005, courtesy of Diane Smith, Oakland County.

Both Diane and I got a chuckle over the seeming appearance of sun glasses on this visitor to her flowers! Perhaps its on its way to the 'Oscars'.

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.

Eggs of many North American species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from with in the US.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.

Show appreciation for this site by clicking on flashing butterfly to the left. The link will take you to a page with links to many insect sites.