Gloucester County, New Jersey
Sphingidae

Paratrea plebeja, Gloucester County, New Jersey,
courtesy of Jesse Donovan (JD).

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Jesse Donovan. Jesse sent me sighting data for the very much under reported county of Gloucester, New Jersey.

Forty-four Sphingidae species are listed for New Jersey on the U.S.G.S. website (now BAMONA). Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Gloucester County (only two are reported on U.S.G.S.). 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 Gloucester County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present.

Many thanks to David and Catherine Perrin who provide an image of Pachysphinx modesta from Franklinville.

Pachysphinx modesta, Franklinville, Gloucester County, New Jersey,
July 19, 2011, David and Catherine Perrin

Additional images from David and Catherine are posted below:

Paonias excaecata male, Franklinville, Gloucester County, New Jersey,
July 17, 2012, courtesy of David and Catherine Perrin.

Paonias excaecata male, Franklinville, Gloucester County, New Jersey,
July 17, 2012, courtesy of David and Catherine Perrin.

Paonias excaecata male, Franklinville, Gloucester County, New Jersey,
June 25, 2014, courtesy of David and Catherine Perrin.

A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website and/or in Lepidoptera of North America, #1. Distribution of Silkmoths (Saturniidae) and Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of Eastern North America, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.

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.

Visit Gloucester County Sphingidae Larvae: Caterpillars; Hornworms

Visit New Jersey Catocala: Underwing Moths

If you are travelling, you can find active Sphingidae checklists for all countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbbean via the links at North, Central, South American Sphingidae checklists

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Ceratomia amyntor JD, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx: This moth is officially recorded in Gloucester, courtesy of Jesse Donovan. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia catalpae JD/WO, the Catalpa Sphinx: This species is now recorded for Gloucester. I have seen them in great numbers in other New Jersey counties. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Ceratomia undulosa WO, Waved Sphinx: This moth is not recorded in Gloucester. I have seen them as far north as P.E.I. in eastern Canada, and took them in New Jersey. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not recorded in Gloucester. It is widely reported in other New Jersey counties and in Connecticut. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx: This moth is not reported from Gloucester. If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Lapara coniferarum USGS, the Southern Pine Sphinx: This moth is reported from Gloucester, and it is widely reported in New Jersey and along the coast in Connecticut and Masachusetts. If you've got pines, this species is likely present. Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx: This species is not reported in Gloucester. Generally it is not widely reported, but still is a remote possibility. Manduca jasminearum JD, the Ash Sphinx This species is now officially recorded in Gloucester, courtesy of Jesse Donovan.It is reported in New Jersey, southeastern New York and Connecticut. It might be present in Cape May County. Manduca quinquemaculatus JD/WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth: This species is now officially recorded (JD) in Gloucester , and has been seen in nearby counties. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it. Manduca quinquemaculatus August 28, 2005, Jesse Donovan Manduca rustica WO/JD, the Rustic Sphinx This species is now recorded (Jesse Donovan) in Gloucester, and it has been taken in counties in northeastern and central eastern New Jersey. It may migrate or produce one brood in N.J. each summer. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Manduca rustica, September 8, 2005, fresh specimen, Jesse Donovan Manduca sexta WO/JD, the Carolina Sphinx This species is now recorded in Gloucester by Jesse Donovan. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it, though. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Paratrea plebeja JD, 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 chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is not reported in Gloucester. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. unlikely Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Gloucester. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx franckii WO, Franck's Sphinx Moth This species is not reported in Gloucester, and generally it is not widely reported anywhere. Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks the dark bar along the fw inner margin. remote possibility Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx: This species is not reported in Gloucester. Generally it is widely reported in neighbouring counties. Note the pm line, absent in Sphinx poecila which flies more to the north. Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Gloucester. I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO/JD, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is fairly widely reported to the north and east and is now confirmed in Gloucester. This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey. See the file for the female; she is different. Amorpha juglandis, Sewell, Gloucester County, 30 June 2006, mv lights, Jesse Donovan Pachysphinx modesta WO/DCP, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is now officially recorded in Gloucester County. It is fond of poplars and willows. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Pachysphinx modesta, Franklinville, July 19, 2011, David and Catherine Perrin Paonias astylus JD, the Huckleberry Sphinx This appears to be an uncommon species. They are now officially recorded for Gloucester, courtesy of Jesse Donavan. Paonias excaecata WO/JD/DCP, the Blinded Sphinx: Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Gloucester County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias excaecata, Franklinville, July 17, 2012; June 25, 2014; David and Catherine Perrin. Paonias myops WO/JD, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Gloucester County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris thysbe USGS, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is reported in Gloucester, and is widely reported to the north, east and west. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Hemaris diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widespread but has not been officially recorded in Gloucester. It has been confirmed in northwestern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. and Connecticut. Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day-flying moth is less common and has not been recorded in Gloucester, but has been seen in northeastern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. unlikely Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is notofficially reported for Gloucester, but it is fairly often reported along the coast from southern New Jersey to central Maine. Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. Eumorpha pandorus WO/JD, the Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas not previously reported. Eumorpha pandorus, Sewell, Gloucester County, 30 June 2006, mv lights, Jesse Donovan 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. It is reported from Richmond. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Darapsa choerilus JD/ USGS, 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 not officially confirmed for Gloucester. Darapsa myron JD/WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Gloucester County, but Jesse Donavan confirms its presence. If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrangea Sphinx. It has not been reported in Gloucester County, but I suspect it is Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx This species has not been officialy recorded in Gloucester. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles lineata WO/JD, the White-lined Sphinx This species is now officially reported from Gloucester County by Jesse Donovan. It has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Hyles lineata August 26, 2005, Jesse Donovan Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported across the United States. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host. It is likely in Gloucester County. Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx This moth is much more common to the south. It is a strong migrant, however, and may establish itself in Gloucester periodically.

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.

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