Clarke County, Georgia, and other Northeastern Counties:
Banks; Barrow; Elbert; Franklin; Greene; Hart; Jackson; Lincoln;
Madison; Morgan; Oconee; Ogelthorpe; Stephens; Walton; Wilkes;
Sphingidae

Sphecodina abbottii, Athens Clarke County, Georgia,
June 3, 2018, courtesy of Alexander Pelletier.

Sphecodina abbottii, Athens Clarke County, Georgia,
June 3, 2018, courtesy of Alexander Pelletier.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Alexander Pelletier who provides the Sphecodina abbottii images above. Alexander writes, "I was just on your website and wanted to report a moth sighting which according to your post is historically under reported. I have come across this specimen which I think is may be an Abbott's Sphinx Moth in Athens-Clarke County, Georgia. Thought you might be interested."

I reply, "Not only is it very much under reported in Georgia, but, although widespread, this species, a day flier, is generally underreported throughout it entire range. Many thanks for the images."

Thirty-six Sphingidae species are listed for Georgia on the U.S.G.S. (now BAMONA) website as of July 4, 2018. Some of them are tropical strays into the more southerly counties. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Clarke County in northeastern Georgia. Fifteen species: Agrius cingulata; Ceratomia catalpae; Ceratomia undulosa; Manduca rustica; Manduca quinquemaculatus; Paratrea plebeja; Sphinx drupiferarum; Paonias excaecata; Paonias myops; Hemaris thysbe; Eumorpha achemon; Amphion floridensis; Darapsa myron; Hyles lineata; Xylophanes tersa) are reported on BAMONA as of July 4, 2018). 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 your county, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present or might be present.

This page is also representative of the species that would fly in neighbouring counties in northeastern Georgia, as listed on BAMONA as of July 4, 2018: Madison: none; Franklin: none; Hart: none; Elbert: none; Ogelthorpe: none; Greene: none; Wilkes: none; Lincoln: None; Morgan: none: Banks: none; Stephens: (5) Manduca sexta; Manduca quinquemaculatus; Amorpha juglandis; Paonias myops; Hemaris diffinis; Jackson: (1) Enyo lugubris; Barrow: (2) Eumorpha fasciatus; Hemaris diffinis; Walton: (1) Hemaris diffinis; Oconee: (1) Manduca sexta.

The lack of reports from many counties should not be interpreted as a criticism of BAMONA, whose mandate is to post what has been documented. I am reporting what is anticipated to be present, although not officialy documented, in northeastern Georgia.

A "BAMONA" indicates the moth is reported on the BAMONA website and/or in Lepidoptera of North America, #1. Distribution of Silkmoths (Saturniidae) and Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of Eastern North America, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.

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

The night-blooming moon flower will attract many Sphingidae at dusk and into the night. Ginger is also popular with Agrius cingulata.

Visit Sphingidae of the Americas for links to checklists for all US states, all Canadian provinces and all countries in North, Central and South America.

North American Catocala: Underwing Moths: state by state and province by province pictoral checklists.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, BAMONA: Clarke Pink-spotted hawkmoth, 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 WO, 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 BAMONA: Clarke, 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 BAMONA: Clarke, 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 coniferarum WO, the Southern Pine Sphinx The upperside is of the forewing is gray with two (sometimes one or three) black dashes near the wing center; other markings are usually diffuse. The upperside of the hindwing is a uniform brown-gray. If you've got pines, this species is likely present. 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 jasminearum WO, the Ash Sphinx The upperside of forewing is gray to grayish brown with a black line running from the middle of the costa to the middle of the outer margin; the line may be broken near the margin. There is a splash of brown around the cell spot. Manduca quinquemaculatus BAMONA: Clarke/Stephens, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculata. Manduca rustica BAMONA: Clarke, the Rustic Sphinx Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown to deep chocolate brown with a dusting of white scales and zigzagged black and white lines. Manduca sexta WO/Stephens/Oconee, 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 BAMONA: Clarke, 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 drupiferarum BAMONA: Clarke, the Wild Cherry Sphinx Forewings, long and slender, are held close to the body when the moth is at rest. Sphinx franckii WO/unlikely possibiity, Franck's Sphinx Moth The costal half of the forewings are grey, but the posterior portion is a distinctive warm yellowish-brown; the boundary between these two areas is marked with a series of dark diagonal streaks. Similar to S. kalmiae but lacks the dark bar along the fw inner margin. Sphinx kalmiae WO/unlikely possibiity, 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. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO/Stephens, 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 WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This one would be unlikely in northeastern Georgia. Paonias astylus WO, the Huckleberry Sphinx Paonias astylus flies from March-September in Florida and from April-September in Louisiana. There is one brood northward from June-August. This appears to be an uncommon species. Paonias excaecata BAMONA: Clarke, 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 BAMONA: Clarke/Stephens, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Wakulla County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus jamaicensis WO, 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: Aellopos titan WO, the Titan Sphinx. possible stray The body is dark brown with a wide white stripe across the abdomen. The wings are dark brown. It is very similar to above species, but the upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin. Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx, WO possible stray/Jackson The body and wings are dark brown. The forewing has a large black patch covering most of the outer half of the wing. There is a pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and a fairly straight median line to the inside of the cell spot. See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris gracilis WO, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing This day-flying moth is less common and has not been recorded in Bibb County, but it may be present. unlikely Hemaris thysbe BAMONA: Clarke, 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 WO/Stephens/Barrow/Walton, 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. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon BAMONA: Clarke, 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 fasciatus WO/Barrow, the Banded Sphinx The upperside of the moth is dark pinkish brown. Each forewing has a lighter brown band along the costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. 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 BAMONA: Clarke, 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 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 BAMONA: Clarke, 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. 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 BAMONA: Clarke, the White-lined Sphinx This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Proserpinus guarae WO/unlikely possibiity, the Proud Sphinx The rare and possibly endangered Proud Sphinx flies from Texas and Louisiana east to northern Florida, north to Alabama, Missouri, northern Georgia, and South Carolina. slight possibility, but generally more westerly Sphecodina abbottii AP, 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, Athens-Clarke County, June 3, 2018, Alexander Pelletier. Xylophanes tersa BAMONA: Clarke, the Tersa Sphinx This moth is much more common to the south. It is a strong migrant, however, and is probably well established in Bibb County.

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.

Eggs of many North American species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from with in the US.

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