Essex County, New Jersey
Sphingidae

Six on USGS website for Essex Plebeian sphinx -- (Paratrea plebeja) Laurel sphinx -- (Sphinx kalmiae) Apple sphinx -- (Sphinx gordius) Huckleberry sphinx -- (Paonias astylus) Hydrangea sphinx -- (Darapsa versicolor) Bedstraw hawkmoth -- (Hyles gallii) Page below needsot be updated for Essex


Darapsa pholus by Bill Oehlke

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information/sightings are welcomed by Bill.

I spent my teen years in Pottersville, New Jersey. I was on the Hunterdon County side of the Black River. Just across the river was Morris County, and about half a mile upstream one could enter Warren County.

My father was primarily interested in Saturniidae and we had a large blacklight mounted above a sheet on the river side of the house.

While Dad was doing the silkmoths, I took an interest in the Sphingidae and studied Holland's Moth Book, trying to identify the moths that would arrive at the light.

I still (2005) have a shadow box display of nine species (Sphinx eremitus, Sphinx gordius, Paonias myops, Smerinthus jamaicensis, Darapsa choerilus, Darapsa myron, Hyles lineata, Sphecodina abbottii and Xylophanes tersa) that I captured and spread in Pottersville in the early 1960s.

I can also remember the large Manduca quinquemaculata and Manduca sexta that were attracted to the light. My grandfather's tomato plants were often savaged by the larvae.

Some evenings large numbers of Eumorpha pandorus would arrive almost simultaneously, and Paonias excaecata were also common.

During the day, Hemaris thysbe could be seen nectaring at my mother's butterfly bush and the other flowers in her garden.

My first attempt at rearing Sphingidae from eggs involved Amorpha juglandis, from a female taken at the same light.

Forty-four Sphingidae species are listed for New Jersey on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Hunterdon County (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 either observed this moth myself in Hunterdon County, or I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present.

A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website and/or 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:

Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx

This moth is not officially recorded in Hunterdon, 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 species is not officially recorded for Hunterdon.

I have seen them in great numbers in other New Jersey counties.

The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host.

Ceratomia undulosa WO/USGS, the Waved Sphinx

This moth is recorded in Hunterdon. I have seen them as far north as P.E.I. in eastern Canada, and took them in New Jersey.
It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings.

Dolba hyloeus USGS, the Pawpaw Sphinx

This moth is recorded in Hunterdon. It is widely reported in other New Jersey counties and in Connecticut.

Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx

This moth is not reported from Hunterdon County, but if you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I.

Lapara coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx

This moth is not reported from Hunterdon County, but it is widely reported in New Jersey and along the coast in Connecticut and Masachusetts.
If you've got pines, this species is likely present.

Manduca jasminearum USGS, the Ash Sphinx

This species is officially recorded in Hunterdon County.

It is reported in New Jersey, southeastern New York and Connecticut.

Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth

This species is has been recorded by Bill Oehlke in Hunterdon, and has been seen in nearby counties. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it.

Manduca rustica WO, the Rustic Sphinx

This species is not officially recorded in Hunterdon, but it has been taken in other counties in northeastern and central eastern New Jersey. I would not be surprised to get a report. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen.

Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx

This species is recorded in Hunterdon by Bill Oehlke. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it, though.

Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.

Paratrea plebeja WO, the Plebeian Sphinx

The upperside of the forewing is gray with indistinct black and white markings. There is a series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot.Questionable

Sphinx chersis USGS, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx

This species is reported in Hunterdon. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen.

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx

This species is not officially reported in Hunterdon. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae.

Sphinx eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx

This species is confirmed for Hunterdon by Bill Oehlke. Generally it is not widely reported.

Larval hosts are various species of beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis), and sage (Salvia).

Sphinx franckii USGS, Franck's Sphinx Moth

This species is reported in Hunterdon. Generally it is not widely reported anywhere.
Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks the dark bar along the fw inner margin.

Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx

This species is confirmed in Hunterdon by Bill Oehlke. It is widely reported in neighbouring counties.

Note the pm line, absent in Sphinx poecila which flies more to the north.

Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx

This species is not officially reported in Hunterdon. I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on lilac.

At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Amorpha juglandis WO, the Walnut Sphinx

This moth is fairly widely reported to the north and east and I have taken them in Hunterdon.

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 not officially recorded in Hunterdon County. It is fond of poplars and willows.

They are common on Prince Edward Island.

Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx

This appears to be an uncommon species.

They are not officially recorded for Hunterdon.

Paonias excaecata WO, 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 Hunterdon County. 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 common in Hunterdon County.

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.

Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.

Macroglossinae subfamily


Dilophonotini tribe:

Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing

This interesting day flier is copnfirmed in Hunterdon and is widely reported to the north, east and west.
They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida.

Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth

This moth is widespread and has been officially recorded in Hunterdon. It has been confirmed in northwestern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. and Connecticut.

Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing

This day-flying moth is less common and has not been recorded in Hunterdon, but has been seen in northeastern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. unlikely

Philampelini tribe:

Eumorpha achemon USGS, the Achemon Sphinx

This moth is officially reported for Hunterdon, 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/ WO, the Pandorus Sphinx

If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I have often seen them in Pottersville.

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. It is reported from Hunterdon.
Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen.

Darapsa choerilus WO, 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.
They are common in Hunterdon County.

Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx
This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Gloucester County, but I can confirm its presence.
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 WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx

If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrangea Sphinx.
It has not been reported in Hunterdon County, but I suspect it is present, but probably uncommon.

Deidamia inscriptum USGS, the Lettered Sphinx

This species has been officially recorded in Hunterdon.

Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts.

Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx

This species has been taken in Pottersville. It has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine.

Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx

This moth is very much under reported across the United States. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host. I have taken it is Pottersville.

Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx

This moth is much more common to the south. It is a strong migrant, however. I have taken a specimen in Hunterdon County.



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