Piscataquis County, Maine
Sphingidae

Thirty-seven Sphingidae species are listed for Maine on the U.S.G.S. website (now BAMONA). Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Piscataquis (five are reported on U.S.G.S. as of July 13, 2010). 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. 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.

Visit Piscataquis County Sphingidae Larvae: Caterpillars; Hornworms

Visit Maine Catocala: Underwing Moths.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata WO unlikely stray: This species has been enountered in Penobscot County as a stray from much further south. It might also stray into Piscataquis in the fall, but is unlikely. 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: The upperside of the forewing is brown with dark brown and white markings including a white costal area near the wing base, dark streaks along the veins, and a white spot in the cell. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia undulosa USGS, the Waved Sphinx: The upperside of the forewing is pale brownish gray with wavy black and white lines and a black-outlined white cell spot. The upperside of the hindwing is gray with diffuse darker bands. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with a dusting of white scales. Some moths have patches of reddish or yellowish brown on the wings. Larvae are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with heavy black bands. The upperside of the hindwing is brownish gray with no markings. Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx This species is probably present in Berkshire 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 quinquemaculatus WO the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is not recorded in Somerset, but, if you grow tomatoes, you might encounter it. Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it is reported in Aroostook County. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). 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 of which reaches the wing tip. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx The lower forewings are predominantly brownish-yellow with a fairly wide dark bar along the inner margin. At rest the wings hug the body, giving the moth a long slender look. Sphinx luscitiosa WO, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is yellowish gray in males and pale gray with a faint yellow tint in females. It seems to be an uncommon species. Sphinx poecila USGS, 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 The adults are also highly variable; sometimes wings of an individual may be all one color or may have several colors, ranging from pale to dark brown, and may have a white or pink tinge. See the file for the female; she is different. Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth has a large, heavy body, and females can be remarkably plump. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx It is recorded for northeastern Massachusetts and western Connecticut, but it would be a surprise in Piscataquis County. It would be more common in more southerly locales. 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 Piscataquis County. 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 present in Piscataquis, although not confirmed. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx This species probably flies throughout Maine. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common. The light-coloured, forewing, apical arc does not reach the outer margin in its lower half. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common so I suspect it is in Piscataquis County. Near the right forewing apex there is a complete light coloured arc (letter "c") reaching the outer margin. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris thysbe, USGS, the Hummingbird Clearwing It is not difficult to see why many gardeners would mistake an Hemaris thysbe moth for a small hummingbird as it hovers, sipping nectar from flowers through a long feeding tube. Hemaris diffinis USGS, Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth: Adults mimic bumblebees and are quite variable. Wings: basically clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. Thorax: golden-brown to dark greenish-brown. Abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments before tip. Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing Hemaris gracilis is distinguished from similar species by a pair of red-brown bands on the undersides of the thorax, which varies from green to yellow-green dorsally and sometimes brown with white underneath. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO. Nessus sphinx flies during the day and at dusk: two bright yellow bands on tufted abdomin. At rest, dark red-brown upperwings hide hw red-orange median band and yellow spot. In some specimens the median band may be very pale or almost absent. Concave regions of fw outer margin also have pale yellow markings in fringe area. Darapsa choerilus WO, the Azalea Sphinx. They are common in New Jersey and common here on Prince Edward Island. The lower wings of this hawkmoth are a solid brownish-orange, matching the body colour. 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: FW upperside is dark brown to pale yellowish gray, with an olive tint (often quite green). On the costal margin there is a dark rectangular patch, although this may be reduced or absent. HW upperside is pale orange. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrangea Sphinx. It has not been widely reported, however, and probably is uncommon. Hyles gallii USGS, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in Piscataquis County. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata possible, but unlikely stray, the White-lined Sphinx This species is reported from Penobscot County. It is a strong migrator from the south, and there are records from the west and to the north. non resident stray Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, Yellow-banded Day Sphinx. Fw upperside: medium to dark brown with faint to distinct white median band. Hw upperside: dark brown with a wide orange median band which may not reach the inner margin. Moth mimics bumblebee. Adults fly in afternoon as single brood from April-June in meadows in coniferous forests.

---

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 Site", 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.