Genesee County, Michigan
Sphingidae

Hemaris thysbe, Fenton, Genesee County, Michigan,
September 9, 2007, courtesy of Sherry Sleep

Forty-six Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS for Michigan. Not all of the species are reported (only two by USGS as of January 17, 2008) or anticipated in Genesee County. I have added species which I feel may be present.

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 Genesee County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Sherry Sleep who sent me a sighting/image of Hemaris thysbe in Genesee County.

Sherry writes, "I just love this moth. I have taken lots of pictures myself as I have tons of butterfly bushes. They reseed like crazy. Anyhow, please tell me their caterpillar isn't the dreaded tomato hornworm. It looks like it very much.

"Thanks so much for your website!"

I replied, "The tomato hornworm caterpillar, Manduca quinquemaculata, belongs to a much larger moth from the same family, Sphingidae. The caterpillars of Hemaris thysbe (probably what you are seeing at your butterfly bushes) and the other Hemaris species are relatively small and do not feed on tomato foliage. They are not considered to be pests, but the tomato hornworm is. The Manduca species are the ones that feed on tomato foliage.

"Thank you so much for the info Bill, very kind of you. Here is a picture of my guy, taken Sept 9th 07'. Glad to hear it's a different moth. Thank you for the link. I'll go check him out. Have a great day!

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: Ceratomia amyntor WO, 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 This is generally a more southerly species, but it has been recorded to the south and west of Genesee and may be present. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Ceratomia undulosa WO, 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. This moth is recorded to the south in Oakland County. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. Lapara bombycoides WO, the Northern Pine Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with heavy black bands. The upperside of the hindwing is brownish gray with no markings. questionable 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. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This large bodied moth flies in tobacco fields and vegetable gardens (potatoes, tomatoes) and wherever host plants are found. Tomato Hornworm! Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not recorded in Genesee, which may be north of its range. If you grow tomatoes, However, you might encounter it. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. unlikely Sphinx canadensis WO, Sphinx canadensis, the Canadian Sphinx, is not common, and is not often reported anywhere, but it might possibly be present in Genesee County. Larval hosts are white ash (Fraxinus americana) and blueberry (Vaccinium). Sphinx chersis USGS, 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. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is probably present in Genesee County. 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 This species is probably present in Berkshire County. Colouration and markings are highly variable from one specimen to another. The fringes on forewing are mostly black with some white; those on the hindwing are mostly white with a few black patches. 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 The upperside of the forewing is yellowish gray in males and pale gray with a faint yellow tint in females. In both sexes, the dark border on the outer margin widens as it approaches the inner margin. unlikely, more northerly species Sphinx poecila WO, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx. They are pretty common here on Prince Edward Island, but don't fly too far south of Massachusetts, being replaced by Sphinx gordius in Connecticut. unlikely, more northerly species Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, the Walnut Sphinx This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey. See the file for the female; she is different. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx, The outer margin of the forewing is quite wavy. There is a dark cell spot and a dark oblique line mid wing from the costa almost to the inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would be June-July. 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. Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx, This large poplar/willow feeder is probably present in Genesee County. They are a heavy bodied species. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx or One-eyed Sphinx, Larvae feed on poplars and willows. Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood. It might occur in Genesee County. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, the Twin-spotted Sphinx This moth is widely distributed and fairly common, and it is recorded to the south in Oakland. 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 diffinis WO, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth, The moth flies along forest edges and in meadows, gardens and brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc. Hemaris gracilis WO, Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing: Gracilis is distinguished from similar species by pair of red-brown bands on sides of thorax, varying from green to yellow-green dorsally and sometimes brown with white below. Abdomen is red. Wings are transparent with reddish brown borders. Hemaris thysbe SS, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is confirmed for Genesee by Sherry Sleep. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida. Philampelini Tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not reported for Genesee, but 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. 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 where they have not previously been reported. Macroglossini Tribe: Amphion floridensis WO, 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. Darapsa choerilus WO, the Azalea Sphinx 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. Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx 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. Darapsa versicolor WO, the Hydrangea Sphinx If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you may have the Hydrnagea Sphinx. However, it probably is uncommon. Deidamia inscriptum USGS, the Lettered Sphinx This species has been recorded in Genesee County. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported in Genesee, but it has been recorded in counties to the south and east. I suspect it is present. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. unlikely, more northerly species Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx Adults usually fly at dusk, during the night, and at dawn, but they also fly during the day over a wide variety of open habitats including deserts, suburbs, and gardens. Sphecodina abbottii WO, the Abbott's Sphinx This moth is very much under reported on USGS. It is a rapid day flier so is probably not in too many collections. Grape is a popular larval host. Xylophanes tersa WO, the Tersa Sphinx This moth is much more common to the south and east. It is a strong migrant, however, and may stray to Genesee. unlikely stray

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