Yates County
Sphingidae

Forty-six Sphingidae species are listed for New York on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Yates County (only three are reported on U.S.G.S. : Waved sphinx -- (Ceratomia undulosa); Poecila sphinx -- (Sphinx poecila); Snowberry clearwing -- (Hemaris diffinis)).

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 Yates County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present. A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS 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.

This page is inspired by Kathy Johnstone of Branchport, New York, who shared her excitement about learning the name of the moth that was regularly visiting her monarda & phlox.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Pink-spotted hawkmoth -- (Agrius cingulata) WO stray This moth is a very strong flier, but would only make its way to Yates County as a rare stray. There are not too many records from New York state, but records exist for NJ and CT. Ceratomia amyntor WO, the Elm Sphinx or Four-horned Sphinx This moth is not recorded in Yates, but I suspect it is present. Larvae feed on Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus). Ceratomia undulosa USGS, the Waved Sphinx This moth is recorded in Yates. I have seen them as far north as P.E.I. in eastern Canada, and took them in New Jersey. It is named for the wavy lines on the forewings. Dolba hyloeus WO, the Pawpaw Sphinx This moth is not recorded in Yates. It is widely reported in New Jersey and Connecticut and may be present. Lapara bombycoides USGS, the Northern Pine Sphinx This moth is reported from Yates, and it is reported to the north, east, south and west. If you have pines, you probably have this species. It flies on P.E.I. Lintneria eremitus WO, the Hermit Sphinx This species is not reported in Yates, but I suspect it is present. Generally it is not widely reported. Manduca quinquemaculatus WO, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth This species is not recorded for Yates, but it has been seen in nearby counties. I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter it. Manduca sexta WO, the Carolina Sphinx This species is not recorded in Yates. If you grow tomatoes, however, you may have encountered it as it has been found in western N.Y. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Sphinx chersis WO, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx This species is probably present but may not be common. Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx This species is not officially reported in Yates. We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx kalmiae WO, the Laurel Sphinx This species is not reported in Yates. I have taken them on P.E.I., Canada, and reared them on lilac. At rest the hindwings are usually completely covered. Sphinx luscitiosa WO, the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx This one is not reported from Yates, but it has been seen just to the southeast. It is generally not common. Sphinx poecila USGS, the Poecila Sphinx If you have blueberries in the woods, then you might have the Poecila Sphinx. They are pretty common here on Prince Edward Island. It has been confirmed in Yates County. Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis WO, the Walnut Sphinx This moth is fairly widely reported to the north, east, south and west of Yates County. This is the first Sphinx species I reared as a boy in New Jersey. See the file for the female; she is different. Pachysphinx modesta WO, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth is not recorded in Yates County, but it is probably present. It is fond of poplars and willows. They are common on Prince Edward Island. Paonias excaecata WO, the Blinded Sphinx Named for the dull grey-blue spot (minus dark pupil) in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Yates County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops WO, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Yates County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Smerinthus cerisyi WO, the Cerisyi's Sphinx Yates would be close to the southern limit for this species in New York, but it has been seen in north central PA.. I never saw one in New Jersey. At my home in Montague, P.E.I., Canada, they are quite common. 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. I suspect it is present. Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Hemaris thysbe KJ/WO, the Hummingbird Clearwing This interesting day flier is not reported in Yates on USGS, but it is widely reported to the north, east, south and west. Kathy Johnstone reports them in Yates County. Hemaris diffinis USGS, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth This moth is widespread and has been recorded in Yates and in northwestern N.J. and southeastern N.Y. and Connecticut. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon WO, the Achemon Sphinx This moth is not reported for Yates, 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 not previously 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. It is not officially reported from Yates. 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. It is not confirmed for Yates, but likely is present. Darapsa myron WO, the Virginia Creeper Sphinx or the Grapevine Sphinx This moth is not recorded on the U.S.G.S. site for Yates County 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 Hydrangea Sphinx. It has not been reported in Yates, and likely is uncommon if present. Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx This species has not been recorded in Yates, but it has been seen in surrounding areas. Larvae feed on grape foliage and on Virginia Creeper. Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported in Yates. I suspect it would be rare. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not. Hyles lineata WO, the White-lined Sphinx This species is not reported from Yates County. It flies across southern New York and has strong migrating tendancies. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Sphecodina abbottii WO, 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. It is not confirmed for Yates.

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