Walla Walla County, Washington

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

A "WO" after the species name indicates that I have no confirmed reports of this species in your county, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present. A "BAM" indicates the moth is reported in USGS (now BAMONA) 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.

I have also consulted the range distribution maps in James P. Tuttle's The Hawk Moths of North America, 2007, a highly recommended reference for anyone interested in North American Sphingidae.

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.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Manduca quinquemaculatus, USGS the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is reported in Yakima and larvae feed on tomatoes and go by the common name of "Tomato Hornworms". 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. It is questionable for Yakima. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is reported in Yakima. 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 modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder is probably quite common in Walla Walla. They are a heavy bodied species. Pachysphinx occidentalis USGS, 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 USGS, the Blinded Sphinx 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. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx This small species is probably widespread and common. This species ranges across North America. The hindwings have a small blue eyespot ringed with black on a yellow background. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx If you have willows and poplars nearby, you've probably got populations of the Cerisyi's Sphinx. The hindwings are quite striking. 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, directly above. S. ophthalmica has smoother scalloping of the fw outer margin. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe Hemaris thetis USGS, 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 Arctonotus lucidus WO, the Pacific Green Sphinx Moth or Bear Sphinx Found to the northwest, east and south, this species is probably present. It tends to be an early spring flier, on the wing in the early evening. It comes to lights at night. Hyles euphorbiae WO, the Spurge Hawk Moth The body is light brown with various white and dark brown markings, while the wings have a conspicuous tan, brown, and pink or red color pattern. It is not yet confirmed for this county, but is expanding its range and will probably soon be reported. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not officially reported from Yakima County, but if you have Gallium or Epilobium, you probably have populations of this species. Hyles lineata USGS, 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. Proserpinus clarkiae USGS, Clark's Sphinx This day flier, April-June, prefering oak woodland and pine-oak woodland in foothills, is reported in Yakima County. Moths nectar at a variety of flowers in the afternoon. Proserpinus flavofasciata WO, the Yellow-banded Day Sphinx This species is not officially reported from Walla Walla, but it is found to the north, east and south and may be present. It nectars during the day 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.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

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.

Show appreciation for this site by clicking on flashing butterfly to the left. The link will take you to a page with links to many insect sites.