Wright County, Minnesota
Sphingidae

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Paul Young who sent me the images of the Hemaris thysbe top of page and Hyles gallii bottom of page, from Buffalo, Minneapolis, Wright County.

Twelve Sphingidae species are listed for Minnesota on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Hennepin County (none are reported on U.S.G.S. as of September 2006). 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. I have included many species not on the USGS list for Minnesota; I believe they are or might be present. Many, that are not on the USGS list, have been confirmed by Tom Middagh for Minnesota.

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.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO Pink-spotted hawkmoth, fall stray: Strong migrant and adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera) and petunia (Petunia species). unlikely Ceratomia amyntor WO, Elm Sphinx; 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 WO, Waved Sphinx: It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Note black and white collar separating thorax from abdomen. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx Reported from northern Minnesota and central western Wisconsin, it might be present in Wright County. This is one we have on P.E.I. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO Five-spotted Hawkmoth: Abdomen usually has five but sometimes six pairs of yellow bands. Forewing upperside is blurry brown and gray. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered Manduca sexta in the larval stage. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. generally a more southerly species Sphinx chersis WO, Northern Ash Sphinx;Great Ash Sphinx: Forewing upperside is soft dark gray to blue-gray with a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. 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 frequently. 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. 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 also found in Canada. Moths have very heavy bodies. Larvae eat poplar and willow. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot in the hindwing, this moth has a very wide distribution. 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 very wide distribution. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx: Smerinthus jamaicensis closely resembles Smerinthus cerisyi, but jamaicensis is much smaller with larger blue patches on more vibrant and deeper purple in the lower wings. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: 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. possibly only as a very rare fall stray Hemaris thysbe PY, the Hummingbird Clearwing: This interesting day flier is now confirmed for Wright County. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. See Hemaris comparisons. Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth: This moth is widely distributed and might be present in Wright County. See Hemaris comparison Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx Larvae get large and feed on grape vines and Virginia creeper. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis WO/MT, the Nessus Sphinix: This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you might have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. generally more southerly Amphion floridensis, Elk River, May 28, 2014, Mike Tillotson Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx: If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange. Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx: The moth's outer margin of the forewing is deeply scalloped. The upperside is light brown with dark brown markings. There is a small black and white spot near the tip. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles euphorbiae WO, the Spurge Hawk Moth The body is light brown with various white and dark brown markings, while the wings have a conspicuous tan, brown, and pink or red color pattern. Hyles gallii PY, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx: This species is now reported in Minnesota by Paul Young. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata WO/BL, the White-lined Sphinx: This species has now been recorded in Wright County, courtesy of Bonnie Lundgren. It is a strong migrator from the south, and there are records from the east and from the west.

Hyles lineata Wright County, Minnesota, courtesy of Bonnie Lundgren

Hyles gallii larva, courtesy of Paul Young, Buffalo, Minnesota.

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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.