New Brunswick, Canada
Sphingidae Larvae

Twenty-six Sphingidae species are listed for New Brunswick, based on information sent to me by Reginald Webster and Anthony Thomas and the sightings confirmed below the various thumbnails. One of those twenty-six species, Agrius cingulata, appears only occasionally as a rare stray. Larvae of that species would not be found in New Bruswick.

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.

This page is dedicated to Gordon Snyder in appreciation for his help with Sphingidae sightings and images in New Brunswick. Many thanks to other New Brunswick residents who have provided many images and much data.

Many thanks to Judy Caron who provides this beautiful imageof Hyles gallii.

Hyles gallii larva, Sackville, New Brunswick,
September 15, 2012, courtesy of Judy Caron.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Ceratomia amyntor common, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). There are both green and brown forms. The four horns near the head are diagnostic. Ceratomia amyntor larva, Norton, September 9, 2009, Gordon Snyder. Ceratomia undulosa common, the Waved Sphinx Fraxinus, Ligustrum, Quercus, Crataegus and Chionanthus virginicus are listed as hosts. In the fifth instar, the spiracular ovals are decidedly red and the anal horn is off-white to pinkish laterally. Dolba hyloeus present, the Pawpaw Sphinx Larvae feed on pawpaw (Asimina triloba), littleleaf sweetfern (Myrica aspleniifolia), possum haw (Ilex decidua), and inkberry (Ilex glabra) as well as Tall Gallberry Holly (Ilex coriacea). Louis Handfield reports larvae probably feed on Ilex verticellata in Quebec. Lapara bombycoides abundant, the Northern Pine Sphinx If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Manduca quinquemaculatus common, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth The caterpilars are called Tomato Hornworms and each has a black horn at the end of the abdomen. Larvae feed on potato, tobacco, tomato, and other plants in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Manduca quinquemaculatus larva, Sandy Island, October 1, 2006, courtesy of Cameron Dick, via Tara and Jerome Dick. Sphinx canadensis present, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it is present and is reported from southern Ontario. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sorry, no larval image available. 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. Note pale blue horn. Sphinx chersis larva, Ossekeag, August 15, 2005, courtesy of 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, 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. It is probably Sphinx poecila that is present 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. Anal horn is blue with extensive black markings in final instar. Sphinx luscitiosa present, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is reported from New Brunswick, but it is generally not common. 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. Larvae can be purple or green. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis, the Walnut Sphinx Amorpha juglandis larvae feed upon Walnut and butternut (Juglans), hickory (Carya), alder (Alnus), beech (Fagus), hazelnut (Corylus), and hop-hornbeam (Ostrya). Pachysphinx modesta, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx Larvae feed on poplars and cottonwood. Paonias excaecata common, the Blinded Sphinx Larvae accept willows, birches, and cherries. I have also found them in the wild on oak in eastern Canada. Paonias myops present, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in New Brunswick. 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 present, the Twin-spotted Sphinx Larvae feed upon many forest trees including birches and cherries, but are expecially fond of poplars and willows. Red markings on sides vary greatly from specimen to specimen. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris thysbe common, the Hummingbird Clearwing There is also an orangey-pink prepupal form. The lateral line runs from S1 to the blue horn. Hemaris thysbe larvae feed on viburnum and related plants. generally more eastern species Hemaris thysbe adult, Quispamsis, August 7, 2005, courtesy of Bev England. Hemaris diffinis common, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth Larval host plants include Snowberry (Symphoricarpos), honeysuckle (Lonicera), Coralberry, viburnums, Blue Dogbane (Apocynum) and dwarf bush honeysuckle (Diervilla lonicera). Horn is black with a yellow base. Hemaris gracilis present, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day-flying moth is less common. Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis common, the Nessus Sphinix In additon to Virginia creeper larvae accept Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and cayenne pepper (Capsicum). Larvae are green until the final instar. Amphion floridensis adult, English Settlement Road - near Taymouth, June 19, Julie Singleton. Darapsa choerilus common, the Azalea Sphinx Larvae feed on Azalea and Viburnum and progress very rapidly. The larva to the left on Viburnum cassinoides is getting ready to pupate. Color change from green to light burgundy-brown indicates pupation is imminent. Hyles gallii present, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is reported in New Brunswick. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Larvae can be quite variable. Hyles gallii, Coverdale (five miles from Moncton Bridge), August 6, 2006, Anne Marsch. Hyles gallii, Sackville, September 15, 2012, Judy Caron. 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.

Ceratomia amyntor fifth instar, Norton, New Brunswick, Canada,
September 7, 2009, courtesy of Gordon Snyder.

Ceratomia amyntor fifth instar, Norton, New Brunswick, Canada,
September 7, 2009, courtesy of Gordon Snyder.

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