Washoe County, Nevada

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata WO; unlikely This species has not been reported in Washoe County, but may be there as a very rare stray. The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, 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, unlikely, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not recorded in Washoe County. however, if you grow tomatoes, you may have encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Sphinx chersis WO, unlikely, 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 reaching the wing tip. Note grey thorax with narrow black lines. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Hence they may be present, but seldom seen. Sphinx perelegans WO, taken 3 miles west in Placer Co., CA., the Elegant Sphinx Sphinx perelegans adults fly in montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation as a single brood in the north, with adults mainly on the wing in June and July. It flies from dusk until after midnight. Note dark thorax. Sphinx vashti WO, the Snowberry Sphinx The upperside of the forewing has a narrow black subterminal line bordered by a white inverted V-shaped line on the outside, and a black line running inwards from the apex of the wing. It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses. Smerinthini Tribe: Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS/TM, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. Moths should be on the wing from June-August. Pachysphinx occidentalis, Washoe Valley, June 20, 2012, courtesy of Terri McLaughlin. Smerinthus cerisyi USGS, 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. Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx This small species is present in Washoe County. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini Tribe: Hemaris thetis WO, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk 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. Philampelini Tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, unlikely, the Achemon Sphinx Adults nectar from flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), petunia (Petunia hybrida), mock orange (Philadelphus coronarius), and phlox (Phlox). Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage. Macroglossini Tribe: Euproserpinus wiesti WO, Wiest's Primrose Sphinx Euproserpinus wiesti adults fly, during the day, over sand washes and prairie blow-outs as a single brood from May-June. Hyles lineata USGS/DM, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at a number of different flowers and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose. Proserpinus clarkiae USGS, Clark's Sphinx, Adults fly in the afternoon from April-June in oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, nectaring from chia, heartleaf milkweed, golden currant, bluedicks, fairyfans, vetches, thistles, hedgenettles, etc.