Washington County, Minnesota
Sphingidae

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe: Ceratomia amyntor WO/NV, 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. The upperside of the hindwing is light brown and has a dark brown band along the outer margin. Ceratomia amyntor larva, Stillwater, July 24, 2008, Nick Verette Ceratomia undulosa WO, 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. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx Reported from northern Minnesota and central western Wisconsin, it might be present in Washington County. This is one we have on P.E.I. Manduca quinquemaculata WO the Five-spotted Hawkmoth. The moth abdomen usually has five but sometimes six pairs of yellow bands. The upperside of the forewing is blurry brown and gray. The upperside of the hindwing is banded with brown and white and has two well-separated median zigzag bands. Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is recorded in nearby Ramsey County and should be present. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not officially recorded, but it may be present. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them frequently. unlikely Sphinx poecila WO, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you might have the Poecila Sphinx. They are pretty common here on Prince Edward Island, but don't fly too far west of Wisconsin. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the east and south and might 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 in Canada and states east, south and west of Washington County, Minnesota, so it is probably present in Washington Co., too. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is possibly present in Washington County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island. 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 Washington County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx Reported in northern Minnesota, it might be present in Washington County also. 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 to the east, so it may be present in Washington County. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Aellopos titan PS, the Titan Sphinx. The body is dark brown with a wide white stripe across the abdomen. The wings are dark brown. The upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin. rare summer/fall stray Aellopos titan, July 4, 2006, Paul Santo. Erinnyis ello, the 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. probably only as a stray See Hemaris comparisons. Hemaris thysbe WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is not confirmed for Washington County. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Hemaris diffinis PS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widely distributed and is confirmed by Paul Santo for Washington County. Hemaris diffinis, July, 2005, Washington County, Paul Santo. Macroglossini tribe: Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx The forewing upperside is dark brown to pale yellowish gray, with an olive tint. On the costal margin there is a dark rectangular patch, although this may be reduced or absent. The upperside of the hindwing is pale orange. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported in Minnesota, but I expect it is present. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx This species is recorded in nearby Ramsey County. It is a strong migrator from the south, and there are records from the east and from the west.