Salem County, New Jersey
Sphingidae

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

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

He reports the following species from Salem: Manduca rustica, Manduca quinquemaculata, Ceratomia catalpae, Ceratomia undulosa, Dolba hyloeus, Amorpha juglandis, Paonias myops, Paonias excaecata, Hemaris thysbe, Darapsa myron, Darapsa choerilus, Deidamia inscripta, Sphecodina abbottii, and Hyles lineata.

Jesse also reports a Lapara species from Salem County, but the markings aren't clear enough for Jesse to determine if it is L. bombycoides or L coniferarum.

Forty-four Sphingidae species are listed for New Jersey on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Salem County (none 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 Salem County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present. 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 Salem 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: Agrius cingulata, WO Pink-spotted hawkmoth, stray This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to Salem as a rare stray. There are not too many records from New York state, but records exist for southern NJ and CT. Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not officially recorded in Salem, but I suspect it is present. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia catalpae JD, the Catalpa Sphinx This species is recorded for Salem by Jesse Donavan. 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 JD, the Waved Sphinx This moth is recorded in Salem by Jesse Donavan. 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 JD, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is recorded in Salem. 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 Salem. If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Lapara coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx This moth is not reported from Salem. 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 Salem. Generally it is not widely reported, but still is a good possibility. Manduca jasminearum WO, the Ash Sphinx This species is not officially recorded in Salem, but has been recorded in nearby Gloucester. It should be present in Salem County. Manduca quinquemaculata JD, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is now officially recorded in Salem, courtesy of Jesse Donavan. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it. Manduca rustica JD, the Rustic Sphinx This species is now recorded in Salem, courtesy of Jesse Donavan. It has also been reported in counties in northeastern and central eastern New Jersey. Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not officially recorded in Salem. If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it, though. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Paratrea plebeja WO, 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 Salem. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. unlikely possibility Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Salem. 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 Salem, and generally it is not widely reported anywhere. Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks the dark bar along the fw inner margin. possibility Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx This species is not reported in Salem. Generally it is widely reported in nearby counties in New Jersey. 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 Salem. 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 JD, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is also fairly widely reported to the north and east and in Salem. 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 not officially recorded in Salem County. It is fond of poplars and willows. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx This appears to be an uncommon species. They are not officially recorded Salem but have been observed in nearby Gloucester, courtesy of Jesse Donavan. Paonias excaecata JD, 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 Salem County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops 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 Salem 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, although not officially recorded in Salem. Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Hemaris thysbe JD, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is reported in Salem, 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 Salem. 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 Salem, but has been seen in northeastern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. unlikely Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not officially reported for Salem, 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, 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. 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, 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 now officially confirmed for Salem. Darapsa myron JD, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is now confirmed by Jesse Donavan for Salem County. It is widely reported as far north as southern Maine. 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 Salem County, but I suspect it is present. Deidamia inscriptum JD/WO, the Lettered Sphinx This species is now officially recorded in Salem, courtesy of Jesse Donavan. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles lineata JD, the White-lined Sphinx This species is now officially reported from Salem County. It has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Sphecodina abbottii JD, 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 confirmed in Salem.

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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