Thurston County, Washington

Sphingidae

Hyles lineata, September 15, 2005, Thurston County, courtesy of Liz Hoenig.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Liz Hoenig who sent me the image of the highly variable Hyles lineata larva at the top of the page.

Liz writes, "Our childcare provider found several unusual caterpillars on her hardy fuchsia plant - and asked for help from parents to identify."

Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed for Washington. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Thurston 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 "USGS" indicates the moth is reported in USGS and/or in Moths of Western North America, #2. Distribution of Sphingidae of Western North America, revised, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.
A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Thurston 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.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This species is possibly present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx
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.

Sphinx vashti WO, the Snowberry Sphinx
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:

Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder might be present in Thurston. They are a heavy bodied species.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx
The grey-blue eyespot (without a black center pupil) 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.

Smerinthus cerisyi DO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx
If you have willows and poplars nearby, you've probably got populations of the Cerisyi's Sphinx.
The hindwings are quite striking.
Smerinthus cerisyi moth, David Olson, 10 p.m. Olympia, WA 7/26/05

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini tribe:

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
Although not officially reported from Thurston Co., this day flying moth is widely distributed in Washington.
I suspect I will get reports from Thurston County.

Macroglossini tribe:

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not reported from Thurston County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have localized populations of this species.

Hyles lineata LH, 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.
Hyles lineata larva, September 15, 2005, courtesy of Liz Hoenig
Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx
This day flier, April-June, prefers oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Thurston, but it has been found to the east (still west of the Cascades) and in southwestern British Columbia in meadows near coniferous forests.

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Thurston County, Washington

Sphingidae

Hyles lineata, September 15, 2005, Thurston County, courtesy of Liz Hoenig.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is possibly present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant SphinxThe 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.

Sphinx vashti WO, the Snowberry Sphinx 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:

Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder might be present in Thurston. They are a heavy bodied species.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx The grey-blue eyespot (without a black center pupil) 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.

Smerinthus cerisyi DO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx 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:

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth Although not officially reported from Thurston Co., this day flying moth is widely distributed in Washington. I suspect I will get reports from Thurston County.

Macroglossini tribe:

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported from Thurston County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have localized populations of this species.

Hyles lineata LH, 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.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx This day flier, April-June, prefers oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This day flier is not officially reported from Thurston, but it has been found to the east (still west of the Cascades) and in southwestern British Columbia in meadows near coniferous forests.

Manduca quinquemaculata WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth
This species is possibly present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms".

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently.

Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx
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.

Sphinx vashti WO, the Snowberry Sphinx
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.

Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx,
This large poplar/willow feeder might be present in Thurston. They are a heavy bodied species.

Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx
The grey-blue eyespot (without a black center pupil) 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.

Smerinthus cerisyi DO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx
If you have willows and poplars nearby, you've probably got populations of the Cerisyi's Sphinx.
The hindwings are quite striking.

Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
Although not officially reported from Thurston Co., this day flying moth is widely distributed in Washington.
I suspect I will get reports from Thurston County.

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not reported from Thurston County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have localized populations of this species.

Hyles lineata LH, 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.

Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx
This day flier, April-June, prefers oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.

Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Thurston, but it has been found to the east (still west of the Cascades) and in southwestern British Columbia in meadows near coniferous forests.