| Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
 |
This species is enountered in Kern County and in other
southern California counties.
The moth is a very strong flier and
is frequently encountered far north of its usual range.
|
 |
This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens
(potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found. |
Manduca quinquemaculatus, Mojave Air and Spaceport, Mojave, (just north of Lancaster), Aleta Jackson
 |
Manduca rustica
WO, Rustic Sphinx.
This species is not recorded in Kern County on USGS site.
I would not be surprised to get reports although Kern County would be near the northern
limit of its range in California. Look for three large yellow spots
on each side of the abdomen.
|
 |
Manduca sexta USGS, Carolina Sphinx.
This species is recorded in Kern County.
If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. |
 |
Sphinx chersis USGS, 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. |
 |
Sphinx perelegans USGS, 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. |
 |
Sphinx sequoiae USGS, Sequoiae Sphinx.
This species is reported in Kern County.
Adults fly as a single brood in the desert and in pinyon-juniper
woodland from May to August. |
 |
Sphinx vashti
USGS, Snowberry Sphinx.
Snowberry Sphinx adults fly as a single brood in montane woodlands and along prairie
streamcourses from April to August.
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 at the apex. |
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.
|
 |
Smerinthus cerisyi
USGS, 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, Ello Sphinx, WO?.
The abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands.
Adults nectar at dusk so you may see them in the garen at that time, more likely as a stray. |
 |
Erinnyis obscura, . Obscure Sphinx,
WO?.
During the night adults nectar at flowers, including bouncing bet
(Saponaria officinalis) and Asystasia gangetica beginning at dusk.
July and August are flight times in the southern states. More likely as a stray.
|
 |
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,
the Achemon Sphinx.
This moth is reported for Kern County, and should be fairly
common.
Fight would be from June to August. Larvae feed on grape foliage. |
Macroglossini Tribe:
 |
Arctonotus lucidus USGS/JB, Pacific Green
Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx. This species is confirmed in Kern
County.
It tends to be an late winter-early spring flier, on the
wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. |
Arctonotus lucidus, Stallion Springs, February 12, 2017, J. Bartow.
 |
Euproserpinus euterpe, the Euterpe Sphinx,
USGS.
Euproserpinus euterpe adults fly in pastures and fallow fields
as a single brood from late January-February-April. They nectar at
flowers of filaree (Erodium) and Nemophila during the
warm parts of the day.
This species is listed as "threatened" in its known
range. |
 |
Euproserpinus phaeton,
the Phaeton Primrose Sphinx, USGS.
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. Trish Meyer reports moths nectaring at
salvia and ovipositing on Epilobium cana (California fuchsia) and Hooker's Evening Primrose. |
 |
Proserpinus clarkiae
USGS/KD, Clark's
Sphinx. Adults fly in the afternoon from March-April-June in oak
woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, nectaring from chia,
heartleaf milkweed, golden currant, bluedicks, fairyfans, vetches,
thistles, hedgenettles, etc. |
Proserpinus clarkiae, March 19, Kelso Valley,
streambeds, alighting on dry sand, numerous; Ken Davenport
|
|
