Trumbull County, Ohio
Sphingidae

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Chris Mayoros who sent the sighting/image of a Paonias myops male, from Cortland, Trumbull Cpunty, Ohio, May 25, 2011.

Chris writes, "Ran across your website trying to figure out what kind of insect I was looking at. Looks like a small-eyed sphinx moth. Here are the pictures I took of it."

Thirty-three Sphingidae species are listed for Ohio on the old U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in Trumbull County. It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you are likely to encounter.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, Pink-spotted hawkmoth, possible but unlikely stray 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, 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, 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, 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, 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 bombycoides, the Northern Pine Sphinx If you have pines, you might have this species. It flies on P.E.I. The upperside of the forewing is gray with heavy black bands. The upperside of the hindwing is brownish gray with no markings. possibility Lintneria eremitus, 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 quinquemaculatus, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculatus. Manduca sexta, 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, 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 chersis, the Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx Larval hosts are ash, lilac, privet, cherry, and quaking aspen. Sphinx drupiferarum, the Wild Cherry Sphinx We have them on P.E.I., but I do not see them nearly as frequently as I see the other Sphingidae. Sphinx gordius, the Apple Sphinx Note the pm line, absent in Sphinx poecila which flies more to the north. Sphinx kalmiae, 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 , the Canadian Sphinx or Clemen's Sphinx Smerinthini Tribe: Amorpha juglandis, 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, the Modest Sphinx or Poplar Sphinx This moth has a large, heavy body, and females can be remarkably plump. Paonias excaecata, 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 CM, the Small-eyed Sphinx Named for the small eye-spot in the hindwing, this moth has a wide distribution and is probably common in Geauga County. I regularly see them on Prince Edward Island, and they are reported as far south as Florida. Paonias myops male, Cortland, May 25, 2011, Chris Mayoros. Smerinthus cerisyi, the Cerisyi's Sphinx Smerinthus cerisyi is found in the southern regions of all Canadian provinces and in northern border states. The one-eyed sphinx is also found along the U.S. west coast, eastward to the Rockies. maybe, but generally a more northerly species. Smerinthus jamaicensis, 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: See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species. Hemaris thysbe, 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, 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. Hemaris gracilis, the Slender Clearwing or Graceful Clearwing: Hemaris gracilis has a pair of red-brown bands on the sides of the thorax. Abdomen is red. Wings are transparent with reddish brown borders. Outer edge of forewing transparent area is even and forewing cell has median row of scales. Note red coloration on dorsal surface of legs. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha achemon, 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 pandorus, 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, 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, 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, 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, the Hydrangea Sphinx: If you have hydrangea growing near a stream, then you might have the Hydrangea Sphinx. FW upperside is often greenish brown with curved dark lines and pinkish-white patches. HW upperside is pale yellow to reddish brown with white along costal margin, greenish brown along outer margin, and white shaded with greenish brown on inner margin. Deidamia inscriptum, 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, the White-lined Sphinx This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Sphecodina abbottii, 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.

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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