Sphingidae: Cuyahoga County, Ohio and Nearby Counties:
Erie, Huron, Lorrain, Medina, Richland,
Askland, Wayne, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Crawford

Joe Applebaum writes, "I came across this moth in our yard. I didn't see it on your website, but wondered if you could identify it? I'm sure it's some sort of hummingbird moth.
"This is from Shaker Hts. Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland."

I reply, "It is one of the Sphingidae moths, Amphion floridensis, the Nessus Sphinx.
"Sometimes they are called hummingbird moths.
"I would like permission to post the image, credited to you, on a webpage?

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Ron Kerber for his support with the development of Lepidoptera websites

Thirty-three Sphingidae species are listed for Ohio on the U.S.G.S. (now BAMONA) website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Cuyahoga County (thirteen are reported on BAMONA as of July 22, 2008). 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 Cuyahoga County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present.

Many thanks also to Alex Bonet and Joe Applebaum who have provided images and data from Cuyahoga County.

Although this page was initially created to report on Cuyahoga County, I feel it also serves as a very valid checklist for othe counties in northcentral Ohio: Erie, Huron, Lorrain, Medina, Richland, Askland, Wayne, Ottawa, Sandusky, Seneca, Crawford.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, WO Pink-spotted hawkmoth, possible but unlikely stray This species is a strong migrant and adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera) and petunia (Petunia species). Ceratomia amyntor USGS, 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. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia catalpae WO,, the Catalpa Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown with no white markings, but there are indistinct black lines and dashes. The cell spot is gray with a black outline. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Ceratomia undulosa USGS, 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 WO, 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 WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx If you have pines, you might have this species. It flies on P.E.I. The upperside of the forewing is gray with heavy black bands. The upperside of the hindwing is brownish gray with no markings. possibility Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray-brown with wavy lines, black dashes, and one or two small white spots near the center of the costa. The upperside of the hindwing is black with two white bands and a triangular black patch at the base. Note the golden hair on the thorax. Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculata. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered Manduca sexta in the larval stage. 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 USGS, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx gordius WO, the Apple Sphinx Note the pm line, absent in Sphinx poecila which flies more to the north. Sphinx kalmiae WO, 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 WO, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is not reported from Cuyahoga County, but it is a possibility Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis USGS, 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. Patterns range from faint to pronounced. See the file for the female; she is different. Pachysphinx modesta USGS, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth has a large, heavy body, and females can be remarkably plump. Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx This appears to be an uncommon species. They might be present in Summit County. Paonias excaecata USGS, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution in the eastern United States. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops USGS, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Licking County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, 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. maybe, but generally a more northerly species. Smerinthus jamaicensis USGS, 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 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 diffinis USGS, 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. The abdomen tends to be dark (black) with 1-2 yellow segments before the tip. Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing: Hemaris gracilis has a pair of red-brown bands on the sides of the thorax. Abdomen is red. Wings are transparent with reddish brown borders. Outer edge of forewing transparent area is even and forewing cell has median row of scales. Note red coloration on dorsal surface of legs. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx Larvae get large and feed on grape vines and Virginia creeper. 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 USGS/JA, the Nessus Sphinix This day flier is widely distributed. If you have Virginia Creeper, you probably have the Nessus Sphinx. Two bright, distinct, narrow yellow bands are often visible on the abdomen. Amphion floridensis, Shaker Heights, July 6, 2012, courtesy/copyright of Joe Applebaum Darapsa choerilus WO, the Azalea Sphinx The lower wings of this hawkmoth are a solid brownish-orange, matching the body colour. You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature. Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx If you have the foodplants indicated in the common names, you probably have this species nearby. The lower wings are orange. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx: If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you might have the Hydrangea Sphinx. FW upperside is often greenish brown with curved dark lines and pinkish-white patches. HW upperside is pale yellow to reddish brown with white along costal margin, greenish brown along outer margin, and white shaded with greenish brown on inner margin. Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx The moth's outer margin of the forewing is deeply scalloped. The upperside is light brown with dark brown markings. There is a small black and white spot near the tip. Grape (Vitis), ampelopsis (Ampelopsis), and Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus) all serve as larval hosts. Hyles lineata USGS, the White-lined Sphinx This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Sphecodina abbottii WO/AB, 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. Sphecodina abbottii, North Olmsted, fourth - fifth instar, July 14-16, 2009, Alex Bonet

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