Hampshire County, Massachusetts
Sphingidae

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Barbara Spencer who sent sighting/images of Hemaris diffinis from Northampton, August 13, 2005.

Barb has also sent images of Hemaris thysbe, Hemaris gracilis, Ceratomia undulosa, Pachysphinx modesta, Paonias excaecata and Amphion floridensis, all from Hampshire County.

Forty-one Sphingidae species are listed for Massachusetts on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Hampshire County (only two, Poecila Sphinx and Northern Pine Sphinx, are reported on U.S.G.S.). 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 or might be present.

A "USGS" 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.

Many thanks also to Joshua S. Rose who sends confirmations of Ceratomia undulosa, Lapara bombycoides, Sphinx kalmiae, Sphinx poecilia, Amorpha juglandis, Paonias excaecatus, Darapsa choerilus, Darapsa myron in Hampshire County.

Please also send your sightings to BAMONA, an excellent online resource.

Visit Hampshire County Sphingidae Larvae: Caterpillars; Hornworms

Visit Massachusetts Catocala: Underwing Moths

If you are travelling, you can find active Sphingidae checklists for all coutries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbbean via the links at North, Central, South American Sphingidae checklists

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Hampshire, but it has been taken in all surrounding states nearby and in Berkshire County. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia catalpae WO, the Catalpa Sphinx This is generally a more southerly species, but it has been recorded in Essex County. I saw them in great numbers in New Jersey. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Questionable! Ceratomia undulosa WO/BS/JSR, the Waved Sphinx This moth is now officially recorded in Hampshire, courtesy of Barbara Spencer. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Note black and white collar separating thorax from abdomen. Ceratomia undulosa, June 7-9, 2004; July 7, 2004; Barbara Spencer. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Hampshire, but it has been taken to the north, east, south and west. Larvae are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides USGS/BH/JSR, the Northern Pine Sphinx Reported from Hampshire, it is widely reported in Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont. This is another one we have on P.E.I. Lapara bombycoides adult moth, Florence, June 5, 2010, courtesy of Betsy Higgins. Lapara coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx Although not officially reported from Hampshire, it is widely reported in Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont. If you've got pines, this species is likely present. Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx This species is probably present in Hamsphire County. 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. Manduca jasminearum WO the Ash Sphinx This species is not officially recorded in Hampshire. This moth usually is not found north of Connecticut, but it might be found in southern Hamsphire County as it is a strong flier. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is not recorded in Hamshire, but, if you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not officially recorded in Hampshire, but if you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might be present in Hampshire County as it is reported from Berkshire. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is probably present in Hampshire County. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not officially recorded, but I suspect it is present. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx This species is probably present in Hampshire 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/JSR, the Laurel Sphinx This species is not reported in Hampshire, but is confirmed in nearby counties. I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered. Sphinx luscitiosa WO, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is not officially reported from Hamsphire, but it should be present. Sphinx poecila USGS/JSR, 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, but don't fly too far south of Massachusetts, being replaced by Sphinx gordius in Connecticut. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO/JSR, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north, east, south and west of Hampshire, so should be present. 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/BS the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is found to the north, east, south and west of Hampshire so it is probably present there too (now confirmed by Barbara Spencer). Pachysphinx modesta, June 7, 2004, Barbara Spencer. Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx It is recorded for northeastern Massachusetts and western Connecticut so may be present in Hampshire. It would be more common in southeastern Massachusetts and is a relatively uncommon species. Paonias excaecata WO/BS/BH/JSR, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Hampshire County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias excaecata, Cummington, July 9, 2004, Barbara Spencer. Paonias excaecata, Florence, July 23, 2009; July 2, 2011, Betsy Higgins Paonias myops WO/BS, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Hampshire County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops, Barbara Spencer. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx Reported in Berkshire and Essex, it is probably also in Hampshire near the southern limit of its eastern range. I never saw one in New Jersey. 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 Hampshire County. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Hemaris thysbe WO/BS, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is now confirmed for Hampshire, courtesy of Barbara Spencer. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Hemaris thysbe, June 21, 2004, Cummington, Barbara Spencer. Hemaris thysbe, June 11, 2006, Cummington, Barbara Spencer. Hemaris gracilis WO/BS, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day flier is not commonly reported, but has been confirmed by Barbara Spencer. See Hemaris comparison, June 9, 2004, Cummington, Barbara Spencer. Hemaris diffinis BS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widely distributed and is confirmed by Barbara Spencer for Hampshire. See Hemaris comparison, August 13, 2005, Northampton, Barbara Spencer. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not officially reported for Hampshire, but it is fairly often reported along the coast from southern New Jersey to central Maine. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. 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. It is confirmed in Worcester Co. to the east. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO/BS, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed in surrounding states and in eastern Massachusetts. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Amphion floridensis, Chesterfield and Cummington, Barbara Spencer Amphion floridensis, June 11, 2006, Cummington, Barbara Spencer. Darapsa choerilus WO/JSR, 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. It is almost certainly present. Darapsa myron WO/JSR, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Hampshire 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 If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrnagea Sphinx. It has not been widely reported, however, and probably is uncommon. Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx This species has been recorded in most of the surrounding Massachusetts counties. It should be present. Hyles gallii WO/BS, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in Essex and Berkshire and should be present. It has been confirmed in Hampshire County by Barbara Spencer. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx This species is reported in Essex and Berkshire and should be present. It is a strong migrator from the south, and there are records from the east, west and to the north. 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.

Hemaris diffinis, Tom Gagnon's verbena plantation, Northampton, courtesy of Barbara Spencer.

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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