Plymouth County, Massachusetts
Sphingidae

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Carolyn Roseberry who sent me a sighting for Hemaris thysbe from Plymouth, August 11, 2005.

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 Plymouth County (only six, Apple Sphinx, Southern Pine Sphinx, Northern Pine Sphinx, Hucklebery Sphinx, Slender Clearwing and Achemon 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. An * 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.

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

Visit Plymouth 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: Agrius cingulata WO stray This species is not recorded in Plymouth County but may appear as a stray from much further south. The moth is a very strong flier and is frequently encountered far north of its usual range. Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Plymouth, but it has been taken in Essex County and in eastern Maine and eastern New Hampshire and in much of Connecticut. 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. Ceratomia undulosa WO, the Waved Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Plymouth, but it has been taken to the north, east, south and west. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Plymouth, but it has been taken to the north, west and south. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides USGS, the Northern Pine Sphinx Reported from Plymouth, it is also widely reported in Massachusetts and along the coast in New Hamshire and Vermont. This is another one we have on P.E.I. Lapara coniferarum USGS, the Southern Pine Sphinx This moth is officially reported from Plymouth County, and 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 Plymouth 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 Plymouth, but I have a reliable sighting from Essex County, Massachusetts. This moth usually is not found north of Connecticut. Manduca jasminearum is a strong flier. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is not officially recorded in Plymouth, but I suspect it is present. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not officially recorded in Plymouth, but I suspect it is present. 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 Plymouth 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, but may not be common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is probably present and would fly in May/June and August. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx gordius USGS, the Apple Sphinx This species is present in Plymouth 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, the Laurel Sphinx This species is not reported in Plymouth, but I suspect it is present. 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 reported from Plymouth, but it flies to the south and in western Massachusetts and may be present. Sphinx poecila WO, 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, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north, west and south of Plymouth so I expect it to 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, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is found to the north, west and south of Plymouth so it is probably present there too. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias astylus USGS, the Huckleberry Sphinx This is a relatively uncommon species, but it is confirmed for Plymouth County. Only rarely are they seen in Maine. I never saw one in New Jersey. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Plymouth. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Plymouth. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common so I suspect it is in Plymouth County. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Hemaris thysbe WO/CR, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is confirmed for Plymouth by Carolyn Roseberry. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Hemaris thysbe, August 11, 2005, Plymouth, Carolyn Roseberry. Hemaris gracilis USGS, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day flier is not commonly reported, but is present in Plymouth. Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widely distributed and often reported north, west and south of Plymouth so should be present. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon USGS, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is reported for Plymouth, and 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 fasciata WO, the Banded Sphinx This moth is a very strong flier and is often reported far north of its normal range. It would be a rare stray to Plymouth. 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. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Darapsa choerilus WO, 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. Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Plymouth County, but it should be present. 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 western Massachusetts and just south of Essex so it should also be in Plymouth. It is generally absent to the north so would be uncommon. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in Essex and Nantucket in June, so it should be present in Plymouth. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx This species is not officially reported from Plymouth County, but it is a strong migrator from the south, and there are records from the 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.

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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