New Brunswick, Canada
Sphingidae

Hemaris thysbe, Geary, Sunbury County, New Brunswick, Canada,
August 1, 2010, courtesy of Helen Mórag McKinnon.

Helen Mórag McKinnon writes, "I was able to "capture" by photographs a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth. I was wondering if you would like some of them to add to your most interesting website? These were taken on August 1st of this year. .....

"These photos were taken in Geary, Sunbury County (about three minutes drive - not far from us), New Brunswick. .....

"Here are the GPS co-ordinates: N 45* 46' 48.9", W 66* 28' 49.3"; Route 7, (ten minutes from Oromocto, 25 minutes from Fredericton, 1 hour from Saint John)."

Visit additional Hemaris thysbe images by Helen.

Many thanks to Helen and all the other New Brunswick residents who have sent images and data.

Hemaris gracilis, Bathurst, New Brunswick,
July 3, 2018, courtesy of Krista Melville.

The very red dorsal surface of the legs helps to distinguish gracilis from thysbe.

Twenty-six Sphingidae species are listed for New brunswick, based on information sent to me by Reginald Webster, Anthony Thomas and several New Brunswick residents.

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 stray, Pink-spotted Hawkmoth stray

This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to New Brunswick as a rare stray.

Ceratomia amyntor abundant, 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 amyntor larva, Norton, September 7, 2009, Gordon Snyder.

Ceratomia undulosa abundant, 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 present, 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.

Lapara bombycoides abundant, the Northern Pine Sphinx

If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I.

Manduca quinquemaculatus abundant, 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. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it.

Manduca quinquemaculatus larva, Sandy Island, Oct. 1, 2006, courtesy of Cameron Dick, via Tara and Jerome Dick.

Paratrea plebeja rare stray, the Plebeian Sphinx

The upperside of the forewing is gray with indistinct black and white markings. There is a series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot.

Sphinx canadensis present, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might be present in Ontario County as it is reported from southern Ontario, Canada.

Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium).

Sphinx chersis abundant, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx

This species is present and is probably common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen.

Sphinx chersis larva, Ossekeag, August 15, 2005, Gordie Snyder.

Sphinx drupiferarum abundant, the Wild Cherry Sphinx

This species is officially reported in Ontario. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae.

Sphinx gordius probably poecila, the Apple Sphinx

The upperside of the forewing ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders. probably poecila in New Brunswick

Sphinx kalmiae present, 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 present, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx

This one is reported from Ontario, but it is generally not common.

Sphinx luscitiosa, southwest of St. John, Charlotte County, July 16, 2002, Bill Oehlke
Sphinx luscitiosa, New Jersey, Northumberland County, June 27, 2005, Robin McLeod
Sphinx luscitiosa, Edmundston, Madawaska County, Martin Turgeon

Sphinx poecila abundant, 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.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Amorpha juglandis common, 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 common, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx
This moth is recorded regularly in Ontario. Its larvae are fond of poplars and willows.

They are common on Prince Edward Island.

Paonias excaecata common, the Blinded Sphinx

Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is common in Ontario.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida.

Paonias myopscommon, the Small-eyed Sphinx

Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Ontario.

I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida.

Smerinthus cerisyi common, the Cerisyi's Sphinx
Smerinthus cerisyi is found in the southern regions of all Canadian provinces and in northern border states. The one-eyed sphinx is also found along the U.S. west coast, eastward to the Rockies. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common.

Smerinthus jamaicensis common, the Twin-spotted Sphinx

This moth is widely distributed and fairly common.

Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. I suspect it is present.

Macroglossinae subfamily


Dilophonotini tribe:

See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next four species.

Hemaris thysbe common, 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 thysbe adult, Quispamsis, August 7, 2005, courtesy of Bev England.
Hemaris thysbe adult, Geary, Sunbury County, August 1, 2010, courtesy of Helen Mňrag McKinnon.

Hemaris aethra common. 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.

Hemaris diffinis common, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
Adults mimic bumblebees and are quite variable. The wings are basically clear, with dark brown to brownish-orange veins, bases and edges. The thorax is golden-brown to dark greenish-brown with 1-2 yellow segments on the abdomen.

Hemaris gracilis present, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing

This day-flying moth is less common.

Hemaris gracilis, Bathurst, July 3, 2018, Krista Melville

Macroglossini tribe:

Amphion floridensis common, the Nessus Sphinix

This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. It is officially reported from Ontario.
Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen.

Amphion floridensis necturing on Dame's Rocket, English Settlement Road - near Taymouth, June 19, Julie Singleton.

Darapsa choerilus common, 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.
It is confirmed for New Brunswick.

Hyles gallii present, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx

This species is reported in Ontario.

Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Hyles gallii larva, Coverdale (five miles from Moncton Bridge), August 6, 2006, Anne Marsch.

Proserpinus flavofasciata present, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx

This day flier is officially reported from Ontario, but it maynot be common. Look for them in meadows near 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.

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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