Thurston County, Washington

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Liz Hoenig who sent me the image of the highly variable Hyles lineata larva at the top of the page.

Liz writes, "Our childcare provider found several unusual caterpillars on her hardy fuchsia plant - and asked for help from parents to identify."

Seventeen Sphingidae species are listed for Washington. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Thurston County in southwestern Washington. It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you have encountered.

The Cascades seem to be a barrier to some of the more eastern species.

A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported in USGS and/or in Moths of Western North America, #2. Distribution of Sphingidae of Western North America, revised, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in Thurston County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is or might be present.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

Many thanks to Barb Carey who provides this beautiful image of Smerinthus ophthalmica.

Smerinthus ophthalmica, Olympia, Thurston County, Washington,
July 29, 2018, courtesy of Barb Carey.

Visit Washington Sphingidae Checklists: Adult Moths and Larvae (Caterpillars).

Visit Sphingidae of the Americas Checklists: Adult Moths and Larvae (Caterpillars) for all US states, all Canadian provinces, Mexico, and all countries in Central and South America.

Visit North Americana Catocala: Underwing Moths.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is possibly present (unreported) and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms". Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. I only see them occasionally on P.E.I. despite visiting lights frequently. Sphinx perelegans WO, the Elegant Sphinx 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. Sphinx vashti WO, 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: 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. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx The grey-blue eyespot (without a black center pupil) 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. Smerinthus opthalmica MPNw 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. Smerinthus ophthalmica moth, David Olson, 10 p.m. Olympia, WA 7/26/05 Smerinthus ophthalmica, Lacey, July 24, 2010, Clara Turnbull-Murphy Smerinthus ophthalmica, Olympia, July 29, 2018, Barb Carey Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Hemaris thetis WO, the Thetis Clearwing 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. Macroglossini tribe: Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported from Thurston County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have localized populations of this species. Hyles lineata LH, 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. Hyles lineata larva, September 15, 2005, courtesy of Liz Hoenig Proserpinus clarkiae WO, Clark's Sphinx This day flier, April-June, prefers oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This day flier is not officially reported from Thurston, but it has been found to the east (still west of the Cascades) and in southwestern British Columbia in meadows near coniferous forests.

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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This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.

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