Quebec, Canada
Sphingidae Larvae

I have listed forty-two species in Quebec, many of them as non resident migrants or strays whose larvae would not be present and are therefore not depicted.

Larvae often show considerable variation.

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 occasional, 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. Ceratomia catalpae maybe, unlikely, the Catalpa Sphinx 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 Ceratomia undulosa common, the Waved Sphinx 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. 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. Lapara bombycoides abundant, the Northern Pine Sphinx If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Lintneria eremitus present, the Hermit Sphinx 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. Manduca quinquemaculatus common, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth 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). 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. Sphinx chersis abundant, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is present and is probably common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Note pale blue horn. Sphinx drupiferarum abundant, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is officially reported in Quebec. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx gordius, the Apple Sphinx 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 Quebec and not gordius. Sphinx kalmiae present, 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 present, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is reported from Ontario, but it is generally not common. 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. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis present, the Walnut Sphinx Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Pachysphinx modesta common, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood. Paonias excaecata common, the Blinded Sphinx Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. 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. 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. Smerinthus jamaicensis common, the Twin-spotted Sphinx 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. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. 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. 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. Hemaris gracilis rare, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day-flying moth is less common. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon present, the Achemon Sphinx Larvae feed upon Grape (Vitis), Virginia Creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia) and other vines and ivies (Ampelopsis). Larvae occur in both a light (green) form and a darker (tan/brown) form. Note six "segmented" oblique lines. Eumorpha pandorus present, the Pandorus Sphinx 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. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis common, the Nessus Sphinix In additon to Virginia creeper larvae accept Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and cayenne pepper (Capsicum). Larvae are green until the final instar. Darapsa choerilus common, the Azalea Sphinx 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. 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. Darapsa versicolor rare if present, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrangea Sphinx. Deidamia inscriptum common, the Lettered Sphinx This species has been recorded in Quebec, and it is an early season flier. Larvae feed on grape foliage and on Virginia Creeper. Hyles euphorbiae introduced, the Leafy Spurge Hawkmoth This species has been introduced into Quebec to try to control the spread of leafy spurge. 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. Proserpinus flavofasciata present, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This day flier is officially reported from Quebec, but it maynot be common. Look for them in meadows near coniferous forests. Sphecodina abbottii common, the Abbott's Sphinx 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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