Suffolk County

Sphingidae

Lapara coniferarum, Long Island, courtesy of Hugh McGuiness.

This page is dedicated to Hugh McGuinness of Sag Harbour who sent me sighting reports in June 3, 2003 and again in May-July 2005.

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 Suffolk County (thirty-three 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 Suffolk County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is 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: Pink-spotted hawkmoth -- (Agrius cingulata) USGS stray This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to Suffolk as a rare stray. There are not too many records from New York state, but records exist for NJ and CT. Ceratomia amyntor USGS, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is officially recorded in Suffolk. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia amyntor, fifth instar larva on weeping birch, August 12, 2006, Bill Rue. Ceratomia catalpae USGS, the Catalpa Sphinx This is generally a more southerly species, but it has been recorded in Suffolk. I saw them in great numbers in New Jersey. 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 Suffolk. 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/HM, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is recorded in Suffolk. It is widely reported in New Jersey and Connecticut. Dolba hyloeus, Sag Harbour, July 22, 2011 Hugh McGuiness Lapara bombycoides USGS, the Northern Pine Sphinx This moth is reported from Suffolk, and it is reported to the north, west and south. If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Lapara coniferarum HM/ USGS, the Southern Pine Sphinx This moth is reported from Suffolk, and 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. Lapara coniferarum Long Island, July 20, 2005 Hugh McGuiness Lintneria eremitus USGS, the Hermit Sphinx This species is reported in Suffolk. Generally it is not widely reported. Manduca jasminearum USGS, the Ash Sphinx This species is officially recorded in Suffolk. It is reported in New Jersey, southeastern New York and Connecticut. Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is recorded in Suffolk, and it 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 recorded in Suffolk, but it has been taken in several counties in northeastern New Jersey. I would not be surprised to get a report. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Questionable. Manduca sexta USGS, the Carolina Sphinx This species is recorded in Suffolk. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Paratrea plebeja USGS, 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. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might be present in Monroe County as it is reported from southern Ontario, Canada. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). 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, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is officially reported in Suffolk. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx gordius USGS/HM, the Apple Sphinx This species is reported in Suffolk. Generally 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 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. Sphinx luscitiosa USGS, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is reported from Suffolk and Richmond and from northeastern New Jersey. Sphinx poecila WO, 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. It has not been confirmed in Monroe County. questionable, generally more northerly Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis USGS, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is fairly widely reported to the north, west and south of as well as in Suffolk. 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 moth is recorded in Suffolk County. It is fond of poplars and willows. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias astylus USGS/HM, the Huckleberry Sphinx This appears to be an uncommon species. It has been recorded for Suffolk, and it is reported for northeastern New Jersey and Connecticut. Only rarely are they seen in Maine. I never saw one in New Jersey. Paonias astlus, Sag Harbour, July 22, 2011 Hugh McGuiness Paonias excaecata HM, 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 Suffolk County. Hugh McGuinness reports it June 3, 2003. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias excaecata, Sag Harbour, July 22, 2011 Hugh McGuiness Paonias myops HM, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Suffolk County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops Sag Harbour, June 15, 2005; July 22, 2011 Hugh McGuiness cerisyi Smerinthus jamaicensis USGS, 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: Erinnyis ello USGS, the Ello Sphinx This species is reported in Suffolk where it makes an appearance as a stray. Males and females differ. Hemaris thysbe USGS, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is reported in Suffolk, 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, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widespread and has been recorded in Suffolk and Richmond and 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 Suffolk, but has been seen in northeastern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. Questionable. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon USGS, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is reported for Suffolk, 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 fasciatus HM, the Banded Sphinx This moth is officially reported for Suffolk, and Hugh McGuinness reports a larva find. The moth is a strong flier and occasionally moths and larvae turn up as rare strays in northern communities. Eumorpha pandorus USGS/HM, 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. Paonias excaecata, Sag Harbour, July 22, 2011 Hugh McGuiness 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 Suffolk. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Cautethia grotei WO, the Grote's Sphinx This species is rarely recorded in the U.S., but there are sightings in the east from Florida, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. There are no reports from Suffolk. Questionable! Darapsa choerilus HM, 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 Suffolk, June 3, 2003, by Hugh McGuinness. Darapsa choerilus (2) Sag Harbour, June 15, 2005; July 22, 2011 Hugh McGuiness (pholus) Darapsa myron USGS/HM, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Suffolk 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 myron, Sag Harbour, July 22, 2011 Hugh McGuiness 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 Suffolk, but, it has been reported in southeastern New York and northeastern New Jersey. Questionable. Deidamia inscriptum USGS, the Lettered Sphinx This species has been recorded in Suffolk and in surrounding areas. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in Richmond, but no further south in the east. I suspect it would be rare, if ever present, in Suffolk. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx This species is reported from Suffolk County. It flies across southern New York and has strong migrating tendancies. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Sphecodina abbottii HM, 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. It is confirmed for Suffolk, June 3, 2003, by Hugh McGuinness. Xylophanes tersa USGS, the Tersa Sphinx This moth is much more common to the south. it is a strong migrant, however, and may establish itself in Suffolk.

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Chenango County Recording Sheets:
Days 1-16 page 1 A. cingulata to S. jamaicensis
Days 17-31 page 1 A. cingulata to S. jamaicensis
Days 1-16 page 2 E. ello to X. tersa
Days 17-31 page 2 E. ello to X. tersa
Days 1-16 blank
Days 17-31 blank

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