Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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Ceratomia amyntor
common,
the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx
Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood
(Tilia), and cherry (Prunus).
There are both green and brown forms. The four horns near
the head are diagnostic. |
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Young caterpillars feed gregariously on Catalpa species
(Catalpa bignoniodes and C. speciosa) in the
Bignoniaceae family, skeletonizing the foliage.
Larvae are mostly white in early instars.
generally more southerly species |
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Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Quercus, Crataegus and
Chionanthus virginicus are listed as hosts.
In the fifth instar, the spiracular ovals are decidedly red and the
anal horn is off-white to pinkish laterally.
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Dolba hyloeus
present, the Pawpaw Sphinx
Larvae feed on pawpaw (Asimina triloba), littleleaf sweetfern
(Myrica aspleniifolia), possum haw (Ilex decidua), and
inkberry (Ilex glabra) as well as Tall Gallberry Holly
(Ilex coriacea).
Louis Handfield reports larvae probably feed on Ilex verticellata
in Quebec.
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If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I.
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The caterpillars are called Tomato Hornworms and each has a black horn at the end of the abdomen.
Larvae feed on potato, tobacco, tomato, and other plants in the
nightshade family (Solanaceae).
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Note the red horn and black dots anterior to the white oblique lines.
If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
occasionally encountered in southern Ontario
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Manduca sexta, London, Ontario, September 1, 2008, Jack P. Brooks.
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Sphinx canadensis
present,
Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not
often reported anywhere,
but it is present and is reported from
southern Ontario.
Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry
(Vaccinium). Sorry, no larval image available.
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Sphinx chersis
abundant, the Northern Ash Sphinx or
Great Ash SphinxThis species is present and is probably common.
Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking
aspen. Note pale blue horn.
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Sphinx chersis fifth instar, Ottawa, Ontario,
August 1, 2010, courtesy of Don Chartrand.
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This species is officially reported in Ontario. We have them
on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently
as I see the other Sphingidae.
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The upperside of the forewing is gray-brown with wavy lines, black
dashes, and one or two small white spots near the center of the costa.
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The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders
through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no
borders. It is probably Sphinx poecila that
is present in Ontario. |
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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. Anal horn is blue with extensive black markings in final instar.
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Sphinx kalmiae fifth instar, Marmora, Ontario, late July 2009, Damian MacSeáin.
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Sphinx luscitiosa
present,
the Canadian Sphinx or
Clemen's Sphinx
This one is reported from Ontario, but it is generally not common.
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Sphinx poecila
abundant, 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. Larvae
can be purple or green.
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Smerinthini Tribe:
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Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans),
hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus),
hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). |
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Pachysphinx modesta
USGS,
the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx
Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood.
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Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries.
I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. generally more eastern species |
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Paonias myops present, the Small-eyed Sphinx
Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide
distribution and is probably common in Ontario.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported
as far south as Florida.
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Smerinthus cerisyi
common,
the Cerisyi's Sphinx
Smerinthus cerisyi is found in the southern regions of all Canadian
provinces and in northern border states. The one-eyed sphinx is also
found along the U.S. west coast, eastward to the Rockies. At my home
in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common.
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Larvae feed upon many forest trees including birches and cherries,
but are expecially fond of poplars and willows. Red markings on sides
vary greatly from specimen to specimen.
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Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini tribe:
See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish
the next three species.
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Hemaris thysbe
common, the Hummingbird Clearwing
There is also an orangey-pink prepupal form. The lateral line runs
from S1 to the blue horn.
Hemaris thysbe larvae feed on viburnum and related plants.
generally more eastern species
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Hemaris diffinis
common, the
Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
Larval host plants include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos),
honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane
(Apocynum) and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera).
Horn is black with a yellow base.
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Hemaris gracilis
present, the
Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing
This day-flying moth is less common.
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Philampelini tribe:
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Eumorpha achemon
present,
the Achemon Sphinx.
Larvae feed upon Grape (Vitis), Virginia Creeper
(Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and other vines and ivies
(Ampelopsis).
Mature (final instar) larvae occur in many colours: light green; tan/brown; orangey. Note six "segmented" oblique lines.
Immatures are often pinkish-red
with long, curved anal horns.
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Eumorpha achemon fourth instar, Windham Centre, Norfolk County, July 27, 2011, Lynda Amorim
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If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you might encounter
this species. Note the five large white ovals. There are orangey-brown and green
forms also.
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Eumorpha pandorus fifth instars on Engelmans's Ivy, August 1, 2011, Kingston, Gayle Beauregard
Macroglossini tribe:
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In additon to Virginia creeper larvae accept Grape (Vitis),
ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and cayenne pepper (Capsicum).
Larvae are green until the final instar.
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Larvae feed on Azalea and Viburnum and progress very rapidly. The
larva to the left on Viburnum cassinoides is getting ready to
pupate. Color change from green to light burgundy-brown indicates
pupation is imminent. |
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Darapsa myron common, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx
If you have the
foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this
species nearby. The lower wings are orange.
Larvae feed on Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia),
Grape (Vitis), Ampelopsis, and Viburnum. |
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If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the
Hydrangea Sphinx.
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This species has been recorded in Ontario, and it is an early
season flier.
Larvae feed on grape foliage and on Virginia Creeper.
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Hyles euphorbiae
introduced,
the Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth
This species has been introduced into Ontario to try to control
the spread of leafy spurge.
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Hyles gallii
present, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth
or Gallium Sphinx
This species is reported in Ontario.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.
Larvae can be quite variable.
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This day flier is officially reported from Ontario, but it
maynot be common. Look for them in meadows near coniferous forests.
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Larvae feed at night on grape (Vitis) and ampelopsis
(Ampelopsis) and hide on the bark of their host plants during
the day. Virginia creeper would also be a suitable host. There is also a dark form
without the green patches. Note the "raised eye", replacing the anal
horn.
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