Sphinginae subfamily
Sphingini tribe:
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This species is possibly present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of
"Tomato Hornworms". |
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Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx
The upperside of the forewing is soft dark gray to blue-gray with
a series of black dashes, one of which reaches the wing tip. |
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There is a broad greyish-white forewing costal area. Most of the rest of the forewing is a dark slate grey
with some thin black streaks. There are some white areas near the outer margin.
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 | The upperside of the forewing is dark grey to black with a
paler costa and pale area from the base to the wing's centre.
Prefered habitats include montane woodlands and mixed chaparral-type
vegetation. |
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Sphinx vashti
WO, unlikely, generally more easterly, the Snowberry Sphinx.
The upperside of the forewing has a narrow black subterminal line
bordered by a white inverted V-shaped line on the outside, and a
black line running inwards from the apex of the wing.
It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses. |
Smerinthini Tribe:
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Pachysphinx occidentalis WO,
the Big Poplar Sphinx.
This one is quite similar to Pachysphinx modesta, with modesta
being smaller and darker.
If you've got willows or poplars nearby, then you probably have
occidentalis in your immediate area.
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The grey-blue eyespot of the hindwing gives this species its name.
Larvae feed on birches, willows, cherries and oaks.
The outer edge of the forewings is quite scalloped. |
 | Larvae feed on poplars, aspen and willows.
Note different shape of double arced forewing pm line compared to the straighter pm line of cerisyi, which it replaces in WA.
S. ophthalmica has smoother scalloping of the fw outer margin.
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Macroglossinae subfamily
Dilophonotini tribe:
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Hemaris thetis is a very variable species, but almost always the abdomen sports contrasting black and
yellow hairs, the ventral surface being quite black. The legs also tend to be quite dark and there is a black mask
running across the eye and along the sides of the thorax.
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Macroglossini tribe:
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Hyles gallii WO,
the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not officially reported from Cowlitz County, but if
you have Gallium or Epilobium, you might have
localized populations of this species. |
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Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx
This species is very widespread. It can be seen flying during the day,
into the evening and also at night.
The highly variable larvae are often found in people's gardens. |
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Although not officially reported from Wahkiakum County, this day flier,
April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills,
is possibly present. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon.
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Proserpinus flavofasciata WO,
the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx
This day flier is not officially reported from Wahkiakum, but it has
been found to the south in northwestern Oregon in meadows near
coniferous forests. |
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