Updated as per James P. Tuttle's The Hawk Moths of North America, July 2008
Updated as per personal communication with Joan F. Rickert; ongoing

Taylor County, Wisconsin
Sphingidae

Ceratomia undulosa, Medford, Wisconsin, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert

Thirty Sphingidae species are listed in the USGS (now BAMONA) for Wisconsin. Not all of the species are reported (none by USGS) or anticipated (twenty-seven by Bill Oehlke) in Taylor County.
This page is inspired by and dedicated to Joan F. Rickert who lives near Medford in Taylor County, Wisconsin. Joan sent me sighting data for Sphinx chersis and also sent the larval images of Ceratomia undulosa, top and bottom of this page, as well as other sightings indicated by JFR.
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 Taylor County, but I (William Oehlke) expect that this moth is present.
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.
Visit Taylor County, Wisconsin Sphingidae Larvae: (caterpillars)
Visit Sphingidae Checklists of all coutries in North, Central and South America.
Visit Wisconsin Catocala (underwing moths)

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Ceratomia amyntor WO, Elm Sphinx; Four-horned Sphinx: Forewing upperside brown with dark brown and white markings including white costal area near wing base, dark streaks along veins, and a white spot in cell. The upperside of the hindwing is light brown and has a dark brown band along the outer margin. Elm (Ulmus), birch (Betula), basswood (Tilia), and cherry (Prunus).

Ceratomia undulosa JFR/WO, 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.
Ceratomia undulosa, July 21, 2006, Joan F. Rickert
Ceratomia undulosa, Medford, June 4, 2011, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert
Ceratomia undulosa, Medford, June 30, 2011, June 3, 2014, Joan F. Rickert

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. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. unlikely, northern limit in WI.

Lapara bombycoides WO, 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. The underside is rather plain.

Lintneria eremitus JR, Hermit Sphinx: Fw upperside gray-brown with wavy lines, black dashes, and one or two small white spots near center of costa. Hw upperside is black with two white bands and triangular black patch at base. Note golden hair on thorax. Beebalm (Monarda), mints (Mentha), bugleweed (Lycopis), and sage (Salvia).
Sphinx eremitus larva find (immature, feeding on Monarda), August 8, 2006, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert.

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.
Sphinx canadensis, Medford, June 4, 2011, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert

Sphinx chersis JFR/WO, Northern Ash Sphinx; 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 chersis, Medford, July 23, 2011, Joan F. Rickert.

Sphinx drupiferarum WO, the Wild Cherry Sphinx: The costal area in the basal and median areas of the forewing is light grey. This colour also appears in the terminal area. The rest of the wing is dark slatey grey.

Sphinx gordius WO, Apple Sphinx: Colouration, markings highly variable. Fw fringes mostly black with some white; those on hw mostly white with few black patches. Fw upperside ranges from brown with black borders through brownish gray with paler borders to pale gray with no borders. Dashes, submarginal line, cell spot usually weak.

Sphinx kalmiae WO/JFR, 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 kalmiae, July 28, 2006, Joan F. Rickert

Sphinx luscitiosa WO, Canadian Sphinx, Clemen's Sphinx: Fw yellowish gray in males; pale gray with faint yellow tint in females. Dark border on outer margin widens as it approaches inner margin. Hw deep yellow in males, pale yellow in females; both with wide black border.

Sphinx poecila WO, Poecila Sphinx: If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx. They are probably widespread throughout Wisconsin, but are very much under reported.

Sphinx vashti WO, Snowberry Sphinx: Narrow black subterminal line bordered by white inverted V-shaped line on outside, black line running inwards from apex of wing. It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Amorpha juglandis WO, 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/JFR, Blinded Sphinx: Fw o. m. quite wavy. Dark cell spot and dark oblique line mid wing from costa almost to inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would be June-July.
Paonias excaecata, adult, June 19, 2008; larva, Medford, August 2, 2008, Joan F. Rickert.

Paonias myops JFR/WO, Small-eyed Sphinx: This small species is confirmed in Taylor County by Joan F. Rickert. The hindwings have small blue eyespot ringed with black on yellow background.
Paonias myops, Medford, June 20, 2008, Joan F. Rickert

Pachysphinx modesta JFR/WO, Modest Sphinx, Poplar Sphinx: This large poplar/willow feeder is now reported in Taylor County, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert They are a heavy bodied species.
Pachysphinx modesta, May 31, 2006; May 26, 2007, Joan F. Rickert

Smerinthus cerisyi WO/JFR, Cerisyi's Sphinx, One-eyed Sphinx: Poplars and willows. Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood.
Smerinthus cerisyi, May 31, 2006, June 4, 2014, Joan F. Rickert

Smerinthus jamaicensis WO/JFR, Twin-spotted Sphinx: Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.
Smerinthus jamaicensis, July 15, 2006, Joan F. Rickert

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

See Hemaris comparison to help distinguish the next three species.

Hemaris diffinis WO/ JFR, Snowberry Clearwing: Flies along forest edges, in meadows, gardens, brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.

Hemaris diffinis, June 17, 2006, Joan F. Rickert

Hemaris gracilis WO, Slender Clearwing, Graceful Clearwing: These moths are diurnal and are most often seen nectaring during the day at flowers. Note the smooth inner edge of the burgundy forewing outer margin and the reddish upper surface of the legs.

Hemaris thysbe WO/JFR, Hummingbird Clearwing: This interesting day flier is now confirmed for Taylor, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida.
Hemaris thysbe, June 1, 2006, June 13, 2008, Joan F. Rickert

Philampelini Tribe:

Eumorpha achemon WO, Achemon Sphinx: Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. unlikely, further south in Wisconsin

Eumorpha pandorus WO, Pandorus Sphinx: If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have pandorus. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas where they have not previously been reported. unlikely, further south in Wisconsin

Macroglossini Tribe:

Amphion floridensis JFR/WO, 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.
Ampohion floridensis, Medford, May 31, 2008, May 27, 2012, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert.

Darapsa choerilus WO, Azalea Sphinx: You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature.

Darapsa myron WO, Virginia Creeper Sphinx, Grapevine Sphinx: Dark brown to pale yellowish gray, with an olive tint, often more green than described. On costal margin there is dark rectangular patch, may be reduced or absent. Hw: pale orange.

Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx
This species has not been recorded in Taylor.
It is seen in southern Ontario, however, and in central and southern Wisconsin. unlikely, further south in Wisconsin

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not reported in Taylor, but it has been recorded in eastern Wisconsin counties. I suspect it is present.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Hyles lineata JFR/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.
Hyles lineata adult: May 31, 2007; June 1, 2012; larva July 10, 2009 and July 14, 2010; Medford, Joan F. Rickert

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.

Ceratomia undulosa, Medford, Wisconsin, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert

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Taylor County, Wisconsin Sphingidae

Ceratomia undulosa, Medford, Wisconsin, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert

Sphinginae subfamily

Sphingini tribe:

Ceratomia undulosa JFR/WO, 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. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. unlikely, northern limit in WI.

Lapara bombycoides WO, 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. The underside is rather plain.

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.

Sphinx chersis JFR/WO, Northern Ash Sphinx; 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: The costal area in the basal and median areas of the forewing is light grey. This colour also appears in the terminal area. The rest of the wing is dark slatey grey.

Sphinx kalmiae WO/JFR, 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, Canadian Sphinx, Clemen's Sphinx: Fw yellowish gray in males; pale gray with faint yellow tint in females. Dark border on outer margin widens as it approaches inner margin. Hw deep yellow in males, pale yellow in females; both with wide black border.

Sphinx poecila WO, Poecila Sphinx: If you have blueberries in the woods, then you probably have the Poecila Sphinx. They are probably widespread throughout Wisconsin, but are very much under reported.

Sphinx vashti WO, Snowberry Sphinx: Narrow black subterminal line bordered by white inverted V-shaped line on outside, black line running inwards from apex of wing. It is most often found in montane woodlands and along streamcourses.

Smerinthini Tribe:

Amorpha juglandis WO, 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/JFR, Blinded Sphinx: Fw o. m. quite wavy. Dark cell spot and dark oblique line mid wing from costa almost to inner margin. Basic ground colour is pinkish brown. Flight would be June-July.

Paonias myops JFR/WO, Small-eyed Sphinx: This small species is confirmed in Taylor County by Joan F. Rickert. The hindwings have small blue eyespot ringed with black on yellow background.

Pachysphinx modesta JFR/WO, Modest Sphinx, Poplar Sphinx: This large poplar/willow feeder is now reported in Taylor County, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert They are a heavy bodied species.

Smerinthus cerisyi WO/JFR, Cerisyi's Sphinx, One-eyed Sphinx: Poplars and willows. Flight would be from late May-July as a single brood.

Smerinthus jamaicensis WO/JFR, Twin-spotted Sphinx: Along the East Coast, it flies from P.E.I. to Florida.

Macroglossinae subfamily

Dilophonotini Tribe:

Hemaris diffinis WO/ JFR, Snowberry Clearwing: Flies along forest edges, in meadows, gardens, brushy fields. Day-flying adults nectar at lantana, dwarf bush honeysuckle, snowberry, orange hawkweed, thistles, lilac, Canada violet, etc.

Hemaris gracilis WO, Slender Clearwing, Graceful Clearwing: These moths are diurnal and are most often seen nectaring during the day at flowers. Note the smooth inner edge of the burgundy forewing outer margin and the reddish upper surface of the legs.

Hemaris thysbe WO/JFR, Hummingbird Clearwing: This interesting day flier is now confirmed for Taylor, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert. They are widely distributed in the east from P.E.I. to Florida.

Philampelini Tribe:

Eumorpha achemon WO, Achemon Sphinx: Note the differences between this moth and the Pandorus Sphinx. unlikely, further south in Wisconsin

Eumorpha pandorus WO, Pandorus Sphinx: If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have pandorus. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas where they have not previously been reported. unlikely, further south in Wisconsin

Macroglossini Tribe:

Amphion floridensis JFR/WO, 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, Azalea Sphinx: You will often see this species listed as Darapsa pholus, especially in older literature.

Darapsa myron WO, Virginia Creeper Sphinx, Grapevine Sphinx: Dark brown to pale yellowish gray, with an olive tint, often more green than described. On costal margin there is dark rectangular patch, may be reduced or absent. Hw: pale orange.

Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx This species has not been recorded in Taylor. It is seen in southern Ontario, however, and in central and southern Wisconsin. unlikely, further south in Wisconsin

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx This species is not reported in Taylor, but it has been recorded in eastern Wisconsin counties. I suspect it is present. Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Hyles lineata JFR/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.

Ceratomia undulosa, Medford, Wisconsin, courtesy of Joan F. Rickert

Taylor County, Wisconsin
Sphingidae

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. Larve are not limited to pawpaw. unlikely, northern limit in WI.

Lapara bombycoides WO, 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. The underside is rather plain.

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.

Sphinx kalmiae WO/JFR, 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.

Deidamia inscriptum WO, the Lettered Sphinx
This species has not been recorded in Taylor.
It is seen in southern Ontario, however, and in central and southern Wisconsin. unlikely, further south in Wisconsin

Hyles gallii WO, the Bedstraw Hawk Moth or Gallium Sphinx
This species is not reported in Taylor, but it has been recorded in eastern Wisconsin counties. I suspect it is present.
Some years I see them on P.E.I., some years, I do not.

Hyles lineata JFR/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.