Inspired by and dedicated to Jim and Bonnie Hay, (Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Mohawk, Keweenaw County, Michigan; June, 29, 2013); July 4, 2013
Updated as per James P. Tuttle's The Hawk Moths of North America; July 4, 2013
Updated as per BAMONA; July 4, 2013

Keweenaw County and
Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee Counties
Sphingidae

Aellopos titan, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Mohawk, Keweenaw County, Michigan,
at the Lizzadro Preserve on the shore of Lake Superior,
June, 29, 2013, courtesy of Jim Hay, via Bonnie Hay.

Occasionally Aellopos titan is encountered in the northern United States in early to late fall, and such sightings are usually attributed to moths being displaced or greatly aided in flight distances by hurricane force winds. The moth depicted above, in very good shape, is quite a surprise for so far north so early in the summer.
Perhaps the recent tornados and strong windstorms, or extreme heat further south, have encouraged a migration or allowed for great displacement.
There is also a possibility of a pupa being unwittingly imported in soil of a purchased plant from further south.
Bonnie writes, "I am curious to know if it is breeding here, or if it has blown in as some migrating birds do who are blown off course (we are on a major spring bird migration route)."
I (Bill Oehlke) reply, I do not think there are breeding populations north of the extreme southern US states. Wind assistance would be my first guess at an explanation.
Bonnie Hay is the Program Director of the Gratiot Lake Conservancy.
P.O. Box 310
Mohawk , MI 49950
Phone: 906-337-5476
Website: http://www.gratiotlakeconservancy.org
This page is inpsired by Jim and Bonnie Hay. Jim photographed the Aellopos titan specimen, and Bonnie notified me of the sighting and sent the images.

Forty-one Sphingidae species are listed on the BAMONA website for Michigan. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Keweenaw County. (four by BAMONA as of July 4, 2013):
Lapara bombycoides, Northern pine sphinx
Hemaris diffinis, Snowberry Clearwing
Hemaris thysbe, Hummingbird Clearwing
Hyles lineata, White-lined Sphinx
I (Bill Oehlke) have added many species which I feel may be present.
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 Keweenaw County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.
I expect that the same species that would be found in Keweenaw County would also be found in Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette and Dickinson Counties.
Baraga: none confirmed for Baraga;
Dickinson: Ceratomia amyntor; Pachysphinx modesta; Paonias excaecata; Paonias myops; Smerinthus cerisyi; Smerinthus jamaicensis; Hemaris diffinis; Hemaris thysbe; Sphecodina abbottii.
Gogebic: Hemaris thysbe; Hyles lineata.
Houghton: Hemaris thysbe;
Iron: none confirmed for Iron;
Marquette: Pachysphinx modesta; Hemaris diffinis; Hemaris thysbe; Eumorpha fasciatus; Hyles lineata; Sphecodina abbottii.
Menominee: Ceratomia undulosa; Sphinx luscitiosa; Smerinthus jamaicensis; Hyles lineata.
Ontonagon: none confirmed for Ontonagon.
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.
Please also send your sighitngs to BAMONA, an excellent online resource.
Visit Alpena County Sphingidae Larvae: Caterpillars; likely the same as would be in more northerly counties.
Visit Michigan Catocala: Underwing Moths.
Visit Sphingidae of the Americas to access similar Sphingidae lists for all US states and counties, all Canadian provinces, Mexico, all Central and South American countries. For many of the US counties (Tompkins) there are larvae thumbnail checklists available via the individual state files.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Ceratomia amyntor WO/Dickinson, 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.

Ceratomia undulosa WO/Menominee, 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.

Lapara bombycoides BAMONA, 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.

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.

Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might possibly be present in Mackinac 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
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/Menominee, 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. In both sexes, the dark border on the outer margin widens as it approaches the inner margin.

Sphinx poecila USGS, the Poecila Sphinx: If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx.
They are pretty widespread throughout Michigan.

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.

Pachysphinx modesta WO/Dickinson/Marquette, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx:
They are a heavy bodied species.

Paonias excaecata WO/Dickinson, the Blinded Sphinx: The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would be June-July.

Paonias myops WO/Dickinson, the Small-eyed Sphinx: This small species is probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

Smerinthus cerisyi WO/Dickinson, 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.

Smerinthus jamaicensis WO/Dickinson/Menominee, the Twin-spotted Sphinx: This moth is widely distributed and fairly common, and it is recorded in Mackinac. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

Aellopos titan J&BH, the Titan Sphinx: Body brown with a wide white stripe across the abdomen. Wings are dark brown. The upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin. stray
Aellopos titan, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Mohawk, June, 29, 2013,
at the Lizzadro Preserve on the shore of Lake Superior, courtesy of Jim Hay, via Bonnie Hay.

Hemaris diffinis BAMONA/Dickinson/Marquette, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth: Flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens, brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.

Hemaris aethra Note large orangey-brown forewing apical patch. In very similar H. diffinis patch is smaller. On average H. aethra, compared to H. diffinis, tends to be slightly larger, with more orangey-yellow tone, less tapering (top to bottom) of dark thorax/abdominal region; more red nr hw anal angle. possibly limited to northern Michigan.

Hemaris gracilis WO, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing: This day flier is not commonly reported.

Hemaris thysbe BAMONA/Dickinson/Gogebic/Houghton/ Marquette, the Hummingbird Clearwing
They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida.

Eumorpha fasciatus Marquette, the Banded Sphinx
The upperside of the moth is dark pinkish brown. Each forewing has a lighter brown band along the costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. Probably only occurs as a rare stray from further south.

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: It is widely reported in southern Michigan and in southern Ontario. If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby.

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx: This species is reported in Mackinac, and it has been recorded in Michigan counties north and south.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Hyles lineata BAMONA/Gogebic/Marquette/Menominee, the White-lined Sphinx: Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens.

Sphecodina abbottii; Dickinson/Marquette; the Abbott's Sphinx
This moth is very much under reported on USGS. 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.
Eggs of many North American species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from with in the US.
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Keweenaw County and Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee Counties Sphingidae

Aellopos titan, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Mohawk, Keweenaw County, Michigan, at the Lizzadro Preserve on the shore of Lake Superior, June, 29, 2013, courtesy of Jim Hay, via Bonnie Hay.

Aellopos titan, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Mohawk, Keweenaw County, Michigan, at the Lizzadro Preserve on the shore of Lake Superior, June, 29, 2013, courtesy of Jim Hay, via Bonnie Hay.

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Ceratomia amyntor WO/Dickinson, 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.

Ceratomia undulosa WO/Menominee, 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.

Lapara bombycoides BAMONA, 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.

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.

Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might possibly be present in Mackinac 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 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/Menominee, 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. In both sexes, the dark border on the outer margin widens as it approaches the inner margin.

Sphinx poecila USGS, the Poecila Sphinx: If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx. They are pretty widespread throughout Michigan.

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.

Pachysphinx modesta WO/Dickinson/Marquette, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx: They are a heavy bodied species.

Paonias excaecata WO/Dickinson, the Blinded Sphinx: The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would be June-July.

Paonias myops WO/Dickinson, the Small-eyed Sphinx: This small species is probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background.

Smerinthus cerisyi WO/Dickinson, 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.

Smerinthus jamaicensis WO/Dickinson/Menominee, the Twin-spotted Sphinx: This moth is widely distributed and fairly common, and it is recorded in Mackinac. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

Aellopos titan J&BH, the Titan Sphinx: Body brown with a wide white stripe across the abdomen. Wings are dark brown. The upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin. stray

Hemaris diffinis BAMONA/Dickinson/Marquette, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth: Flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens, brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.

Hemaris gracilis WO, The Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing: This day flier is not commonly reported.

Hemaris thysbe BAMONA/Dickinson/Gogebic/Houghton/ Marquette, the Hummingbird Clearwing They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida.

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: It is widely reported in southern Michigan and in southern Ontario. If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby.

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx: This species is reported in Mackinac, and it has been recorded in Michigan counties north and south. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Hyles lineata BAMONA/Gogebic/Marquette/Menominee, the White-lined Sphinx: Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens.

Sphecodina abbottii; Dickinson/Marquette; the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported on USGS. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host.

Keweenaw County and
Houghton, Ontonagon, Gogebic, Baraga, Iron, Marquette, Dickinson, Menominee Counties
Sphingidae

Aellopos titan, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Mohawk, Keweenaw County, Michigan,
at the Lizzadro Preserve on the shore of Lake Superior,
June, 29, 2013, courtesy of Jim Hay, via Bonnie Hay.

Aellopos titan, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Mohawk, Keweenaw County, Michigan,
at the Lizzadro Preserve on the shore of Lake Superior,
June, 29, 2013, courtesy of Jim Hay, via Bonnie Hay.

Ceratomia amyntor WO/Dickinson, 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.

Ceratomia undulosa WO/Menominee, 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.

Lapara bombycoides BAMONA, 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.

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx
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/Menominee, 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. In both sexes, the dark border on the outer margin widens as it approaches the inner margin.

Sphinx poecila USGS, the Poecila Sphinx: If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx.
They are pretty widespread throughout Michigan.

Pachysphinx modesta WO/Dickinson/Marquette, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx:
They are a heavy bodied species.

Hemaris thysbe BAMONA/Dickinson/Gogebic/Houghton/ Marquette, the Hummingbird Clearwing
They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida.

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.

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx: This species is reported in Mackinac, and it has been recorded in Michigan counties north and south.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Sphecodina abbottii; Dickinson/Marquette; the Abbott's Sphinx
This moth is very much under reported on USGS. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections.
Grape is a popular larval host.