Skamania County, Washington
Sphingidae
Hyles lineata, Gifford Pinchot National Forest,
Skamania County, Washington,
August 3, 2005, courtesy/copyright
John Davis
Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed for Washington. Not all of
the species are reported or anticipated in Skamania County
in southwestern Washington. It is hoped that
this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you
quickly identify the moths you have encountered.
The Cascades seem to be a barrier to some of the more eastern
species.
A "WO" after the species name indicates that
I have no confirmed reports of this species in Skamania County, but I
(William Oehlke) expect that this moth is or might be present.
Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by
sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an
image, via email to
Bill Oehlke.
The USGS indicates the Bedstraw hawkmoth (Hyles gallii),
Snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis) and
Great ash sphinx (Sphinx chersis) has been recorded in
Skamania County.
This page is inspired by and dedicated to John Davis who
has provided the beautiful images at the top and bottom of this page.
John is a nature photographer who has also provided images
for my
North American Catocala site,
Caterpillars Too!
and the World's Largest Saturniidae Site.
Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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This species is possibly present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of
"Tomato Hornworms". |
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Sphinx chersis USGS, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is soft dark gray to blue-gray with
a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip. |
 | The upperside of the forewing is dark grey to black with a
paler costa and pale area from the base to the wing's centre.
Prefered habitats include montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type
vegetation. |
 |
The upperside of the forewing has a narrow black subterminal line
bordered by a white inverted V-shaped line on the outside, and a
black line running inwards from the apex of the wing.
It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses. |
Smerinthini Tribe:
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The grey-blue eyespot of the hindwing gives this species its name.
Larvae feed on birches, willows, cherries and oaks.
The outer edge of the forewings is quite scalloped. |
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If you have willows and poplars nearby, you've probably got populations of
the Cerisyi's Sphinx. The hindwings are quite striking.
|
Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini tribe:
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Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
Although not officially reported from Wahkiakum, this day flying moth
is widely distributed in Washington and northwestern Oregon.
|
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Hemaris thysbe JD, the Hummingbird Clearwing,
Many gardeners mistake this moth for a small hummingbird as it
hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube.
Flight is probably from late May-July and possibly again in the fall.
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Macroglossini tribe:
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Hyles gallii USGS,
the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is officially reported from Skamania County. If
you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have
localized populations of this species. |
 |
Hyles lineata JD, the White-lined Sphinx
This species is very widespread. It can be seen flying during the day,
into the evening and also at night.
The highly variable larvae are often found in people's gardens. |
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Although not officially reported from Wahkiakum County, this day flier,
April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills,
is possibly present. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.
|
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Proserpinus flavofasciata WO,
the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Skamania, but it has
been found to the south in northwestern Oregon in meadows near
coniferous forests. |
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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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This page is brought to you by
Bill Oehlke and the
WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like
to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.
Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to
requests for identification help.
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