Orleans County

This page, inspired by Aaron M. Kormash, is dedicated to Aaron for sending me the image of Hyles gallii larva posted above.

Many thanks also to Jane Housewright who confirms Paonias myops with the following beautiful image.

Paonias myops male, Orleans County, Vermont,
July 10, 2009, courtesy of Jane Housewright.

Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed for Vermont on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Orleans. I have, however, added some species which I feel are probably present in Vermont (not reported) and in Orleans County. 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 your county, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present. An * indicates the moth is reported 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: Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Orleans, but it has been taken in northeastern New York and in eastern Maine. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia undulosa *, the Waved Sphinx This moth is recorded in Orleans, and it is probably common. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not recorded in Orleans County, but it has been encountered in western N. H. and throughout most of Maine. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx This moth is not reported from Orleans, but it has been seen in nearby vermont counties and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont. This is another one we have on P.E.I. Lintneria eremitus WO, 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. The upperside of the hindwing is black with two white bands and a triangular black patch at the base. Note the golden hair on the thorax. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is not recorded in Orleans, but it may be present, although Orleans County would be north of its eastern distribution. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it may be in Orleans County. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is not recorded in Orleans County, but may be present. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not recorded for Orleans, but it has been taken in northern N.H. and northwestern Vermont. It is likely present. Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx This species is probably present in Orleans County. Colouration and markings are highly variable from one specimen to another. The fringes on forewing are mostly black with some white; those on the hindwing are mostly white with a few black patches. Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx This species is not reported in Orleans, but I feel it may be present. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered. Sphinx luscitiosa WO, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is not reported from Orleans County, but it can be fairly common in New Hampshire and Maine. It may be present. 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 in eastern Canada. They are reported in northeastern New York. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north, south and west of Orleans. 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 WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is found to the north, west and south of Orleans so it is probably present there too. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Orleans although not officially recorded. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops WO/JH, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Orleans although not reported. Now confirmed by Jane Housewright. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops, July 10, 2009, courtesy of Jane Housewright. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx Reported in northern N.H. and northeastern N.Y., this moth is probably present in Orleans. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common so I suspect it is in Orleans. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widely distributed and often reported northeast and south of Orleans. Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing Hemaris gracilis is distinguished from similar species by a pair of red-brown bands on the undersides of the thorax, which varies from green to yellow-green dorsally and sometimes brown with white underneath. They have a red abdomen. Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is not confirmed for Orleans, but they are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not reported for Orleans, but it is fairly often reported along the coast from southern New Jersey to central Maine and has been seen in northern Vermont. unlikely Eumorpha pandorus WO, 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 where they have not previously been reported. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Darapsa choerilus WO, 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. I suspect they are present. Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Orleans 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 versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx: Fw upperside is often greenish brown with curved dark lines and pinkish-white patches. Hw upperside is pale yellow to reddish brown with white along the costal margin, greenish brown along the outer margin, and white shaded with greenish brown on inner margin. Deidamia inscriptum USGS, the Lettered Sphinx The moth's outer margin of the forewing is deeply scalloped. The upperside is light brown with dark brown markings. There is a small black and white spot near the tip. The upperside of the hindwing is orange-brown with a dark brown outer margin and median line. Hyles gallii AMK, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in Orleans by Aaron M. Kromash. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx This species is not reported from Orleans County. It is a strong migrator from the south, and has been seen in northern New Hampshire. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This species is not officially reported from Orleans County. Adults fly as a single brood from April-June in meadows in coniferous forests. Adults fly during the afternoon. Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.

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