Oswego County, New York

Forty-six Sphingidae species are listed for New York on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Oswego County (only 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 Oswego County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.

Randy Lyttle of Hannibal, New York, (RL) has recently (June 6, 2005) sent me a confirmation list. I have added Randy's sightings. Thanks, Randy!

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: Pink-spotted hawkmoth -- (Agrius cingulata) USGS stray This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to Oswego as a rare stray. There are not too many records from New York state. Ceratomia amyntor WO RL, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is now officially recorded in Oswego, and it has been taken in northeastern and southwestern New York and in Vermont and New Hampshire. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia undulosa WO RL, the Waved Sphinx This moth is now recorded in Oswego, and I have seen them as far north as P.E.I. in eastern Canada, and they are reported regularly in western New York. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not recorded in Oswego, but has been taken in more northerly locations in Michigan, New Hampshire and Vermont, so it may be present. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx Although not officially reported from Oswego, it is reported to the north, east and south. If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Manduca quinquemaculata WO RL, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is now recorded in Oswego, and has been seen in Onandaga. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it. Sphinx chersis USGS, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is present but may not be common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum USGS RL, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is present in Oswego. We also 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 not reported in Oswego. Generally it is not widely reported, but still is a possibility. Sphinx kalmiae USGS RL, the Laurel Sphinx This species is reported in Oswego. 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; questionable, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is not reported from Oswego which may be north of its extended range. Sphinx poecila WO, 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, and I suspect would be present around blueberry fields in Oswego. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis USGS RL, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north, west and south of Oswego. 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 RL, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is recorded in Oswego County. It is fond of poplars and willows. . They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias excaecata WO RL, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Oswego County, and it is now officialy recorded there. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops USGS RL, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Oswego County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus cerisyi WO RL, the Cerisyi's Sphinx This species is now recorded in Oswego, and is recorded in Tomkins and Tioga. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common. Larvae feed on poplars and willows. Smerinthus jamaicensis USGS RL, 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 RL, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is now reported in Oswego, and is widely reported to the north, east and south. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Hemaris diffinis WO RL, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widely distributed and has been reported in Oneida and in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO; questionable, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not reported for Oswego, but it is fairly often reported along the coast from southern New Jersey to central Maine so may be present. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. Eumorpha pandorus WO RL, 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 not previously reported. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO RL, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx, and it is now reported from Oswego. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Darapsa choerilus USGS RL, 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 WO RL, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Oswego County, but Randy Lyttle confirms 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 USGS RL, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrangea Sphinx. It has not been widely reported north of Oswego, however, and probably is uncommon. Deidamia inscriptum WO RL, the Lettered Sphinx This species has been recorded in northeastern New York, and has been reported to the south so might be present (now confirmed). It is generally absent to the north so would be uncommon, although I have reports from Ontario, Canada. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported in Oswego, but it has been reported in Onandaga and generally is a more northerly species. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata WO RL, the White-lined Sphinx This species is now reported from Oswego County, but it flies across southern New York and has strong migrating tendancies. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Sphecodina abbottii WO RL, 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.

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Randy Lyttle writes, "From my own blacklight collecting, I can confirm the presence the following species from your website in Oswego County:
Ceratomia amyntor
Ceratomia undulosa
Manduca quinquemaculata
Sphinx drupiferarum
Sphinx kalmiae
Amorpha juglandis
Pachysphinx modesta
Paonias excaecata
Paonias myops
Smerinthus cerisyi
Smerinthus jamaicensis
Hemaris thysbe
Hemaris diffinis
Eumorpha pandorus
Amphion floridensis
Darapsa pholus (choerilus)
Darapsa myron
Darapsa versicolor
Deidamia inscripta
Hyles lineata
Sphecodina abbotti.

"I will be providing date and locale records for these and probably a few other species once I am able to finish up going through the specimens and notebooks."

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