Fresno County, California

This page is dedicated to Jackie McCoy (JM) of Piedra (Fresno County), California. Jackie sent the Arctonotus lucidus images top and bottom of this page.

Jack writes, "I took these pictures Jan 09, 2006, in the evening after dark. There were five or six of them on my screen to the sliding glass door. We were having dinner with friends around seven pm.. My neighbor Fred said he had seen them lately at his house about a mile away too. After about a week we did not see them anymore. We live in cattle country. I do not believe we have primrose. Hope you enjoy the pictures. You may use them as you wish. I enjoyed your website."

Many thanks also to Monique D. Montoya who sends the image of Eumorpha achemon below.

Eumorpha achemon, Clovis, Fresno County, California,
July 11, 2012, courtesy of Monique D. Montoya.

Thirty-two Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for California. Not all of the species are reported by USGS (eight species: Manduca sexta, Pachysphinx occidentalis, Smerinthus cerisyi, Hemaris diffinis, Eumorpha achemon, Arctonotus lucidus, Proserpinus clarkiae and Hyles lineata) or are anticipated in Fresno County.

It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you have encountered.

A WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Fresno County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.

A USGS indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website 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.

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: Agrius cingulata WO This species has not been reported in Fresno County, but may be there as a very rare stray. The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found. Manduca sexta USGS, the Carolina Sphinx If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Sphinx chersis WO, 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 reaching the wing tip. Note grey thorax with narrow black lines. Sphinx dollii WO, the Doll's sphinx Sphinx dollii (Wing span: 1 3/4 - 2 1/2 inches (4.5 - 6.3 cm)), flies in arid brushlands and desert foothills from Nevada and southern California east through Utah, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico to Oklahoma and Texas. (remote possibility in Fresno Co.) Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. (northern if present) I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx Sphinx perelegans adults fly in montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type vegetation as a single brood in the north, with adults mainly on the wing in June and July. It flies from dusk until after midnight. Note dark thorax. Sphinx sequoiae WO Questionable, the Sequoiae Sphinx This species is not recorded in Fresno County. Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper woodland from May to August. 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 occidentalis USGS, the Big Poplar Sphinx This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta being smaller and darker. Moths should be on the wing from June-August. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx This small species is not recorded in Fresno County, but it ranges across North America and might be present. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background. Smerinthus cerisyi USGS, the Cerisyi's Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx, Larvae feed on poplars and willows. Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini Tribe: Erinnyis ello, the Ello Sphinx, WO The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands. Adults nectar at dusk so you may see them in the garden at that time. Hemaris thetis USGS, the Thetis Clearwing or Bee Hawk Moth, The moth flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens and brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc. Philampelini Tribe: Eumorpha achemon USGS/MDM, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is recorded for Fresno County, and it should be present wherever grapes are found. Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage. Eumorpha achemon, Clovis, July 11, 2012, courtesy of Monique D. Montoya. Macroglossini Tribe: Arctonotus lucidus USGS/JM, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx This species is confirmed in Fresno County by Jackie Mccoy. It tends to be an mid winter (January) flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. Euproserpinus phaeton, the Phaeton Primrose Sphinx, WO Adults nectar at flowers during the warm parts of the day. Euproserpinus phaeton adults fly swiftly and close to the ground over dry washes and flat areas in deserts as a single brood from February-April. Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, at dawn, and during the day. Moths nectar at salvia and oviposit on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose in LA county. Proserpinus clarkiae USGS, Clark's Sphinx, Adults fly in the afternoon from April-June in oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, nectaring from chia, heartleaf milkweed, golden currant, bluedicks, fairyfans, vetches, thistles, hedgenettles, etc.

---

Arctonotus lucidus, Piedra, Fresno County,
Jan 09, 2006, courtesy of Jackie McCoy

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.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

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/Catocala Sites", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.

Show appreciation for this site by clicking on flashing butterfly to the left. The link will take you to a page with links to many insect sites.