Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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Pink-spotted hawkmoth -- (Agrius cingulata) WO
stray
This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to
Suffolk as a rare stray. There are not too many records from
New York state, but records exist for NJ and CT.
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Ceratomia amyntor WO,
the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx
This moth is officially recorded in Suffolk.
Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and
cherry (Prunus). |
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This is generally a more southerly species, but it has been recorded
in Suffolk.
I saw them in great numbers in New Jersey. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more
spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. |
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This moth is recorded in Suffolk. 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. |
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This moth is recorded in Suffolk. It is widely reported in New Jersey
and Connecticut.
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This moth is reported from Suffolk, and it is
reported to the north, west and south. If you have pines, you
probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I.
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This moth is reported from Suffolk, 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. |
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Generally it is not
widely reported. |
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This species is officially recorded in Suffolk.
It is reported in New Jersey, southeastern New York and Connecticut.
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This species is not recorded in Kings, but it has been seen in
nearby counties.
I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it.
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This species is not recorded in Suffolk, but it has been taken in
several counties in northeastern New Jersey. I would not
be surprised to get a report. Look for three large yellow spots
on each side of the abdomen. Questionable.
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Manduca sexta
BAMONA, the Carolina Sphinx
This species is recorded in Suffolk.
If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered it.
Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant.
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| 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.
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Sphinx canadensis
WO,
Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not
often reported anywhere,
but it might be present in Monroe County as it is reported from
southern Ontario, Canada.
Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry
(Vaccinium).
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Sphinx chersis BAMONA, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx
This species is present but may not
be common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen.
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This species is officially reported in Suffolk. We have them
on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently
as I see the other Sphingidae. |
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This species is not reported in Kings. Generally it is
widely reported in neighbouring counties.
Note the pm line, absent in Sphinx poecila which flies
more to the north. |
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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.
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Sphinx luscitiosa WO,
the Canadian Sphinx or
Clemen's Sphinx
This one is reported from Suffolk and Richmond and from northeastern New Jersey.
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If you have blueberries in the woods, then you might have the
Poecila Sphinx.
They are pretty common here on Prince Edward Island. It has not been
confirmed in Monroe County. questionable, generally more northerly |
Smerinthini Tribe:
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This moth is fairly widely reported to the north, west and south
of as well as in Suffolk.
This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey.
See the file for the female; she is different. |
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Pachysphinx modesta BAMONA,
the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx
This moth is recorded in Suffolk County. It is fond of poplars and
willows.
They are common on Prince Edward Island. |
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This appears to be an uncommon species. It has been
recorded for Suffolk, and it is reported for northeastern New Jersey
and Connecticut.
Only rarely are they seen in Maine. I never saw one in New Jersey.
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Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing,
this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Suffolk
County. Hugh McGuinness reports it June 3, 2003.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported
as far south as Florida. |
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Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution
and is probably common in Kings County.
I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida.
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This moth is widely distributed and fairly common.
Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida. |
Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini tribe:
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This species is reported in Suffolk where it makes an appearance as a
stray. Males and females differ.
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Hemaris thysbe BAMONA, the Hummingbird Clearwing
This interesting day flier is reported in Kings, and
is widely reported to the north, east and south.
They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. |
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Hemaris diffinis WO, the
Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth
This moth is widespread and has been recorded in Suffolk and Richmond and
in northwestern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. and Connecticut.
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Hemaris gracilis WO, the
Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing
This day-flying moth is less common and has not been recorded in
Kings, but has been seen in northeastern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. Questionable.
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Philampelini tribe:
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This moth is reported for Suffolk, and 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. |
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The moth is a strong flier and
occasionally moths and larvae turn up as rare strays in northern communities.
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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:
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This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you
probably have the Nessus Sphinx. It is probably common in Kings County. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow
bands are often visible on the abdomen.
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Amphion floridensis, Brooklyn, July 6, 2012, Amanda Jeannopoulos
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This species is rarely recorded in the U.S., but there are sightings in the east
from Florida, South Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts and
New Hampshire. Questionable!
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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. |
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Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx
This moth is recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Suffolk 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. |
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If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the
Hydrangea Sphinx. It has not been reported in Suffolk,
but, it has been reported in southeastern New York and
northeastern New Jersey. Questionable.
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This species has been recorded in Suffolk and in surrounding areas. |
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Hyles gallii BAMONA, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth
or Gallium Sphinx
This species is reported in Kings.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.
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Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx
This species is not reported from Kings County. It flies across
southern New York and has strong migrating tendancies. It should be present.
There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. |
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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.
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This moth is much more common to the south. it is a strong migrant, however,
and may establish itself in Kings County.
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