Insects and Spiders - native

Sphinx Moths (family Sphingidae) on May 16, 2008

Submitter does not have a specimen

Description of specimen

Please see the attached images.

Commentary

I have sent your photos to an entomologist at Oregon State University. As soon as we receive a response, I'll post it to the website. Thank you for your patience.

Lisa DeBruyckere
May 27, 2008, 11:40 p.m.

The moth pictures you sent us were confirmed by an Oregon State University entomologist as a Sphinx moth (Smerinthus cerisyi). The common name of this particular moth is one-eyed sphinx. Here's some additional information on this species:
Family: Sphinx Moths, Hawkmoths (Sphingidae)

Subfamily: Sphinginae (Sphinginae)

Identification: Appearance is highly variable. Outer margin of forewing ranges from unevenly scalloped to almost straight. Upperside of forewing is light reddish brown to almost black, with dark and light markings. Hindwing is mostly red with a yellow-tan outer margin and a round or diamond-shaped black spot in the center of the blue eyespot. Underside of the forewing is deep rose on the basal half and usually has a well-defined postmedian line.

Life history: Not reported.

Flight: . One flight from May-August.

Wing span: 2 7/16 - 3 9/16 inches (6.2 - 9 cm).

Caterpillar hosts: Willow (Salix) and poplar (Populus).

Adult food: Adults do not feed.

Habitat: Valleys and streamsides.

Range: Newfoundland and Maine west across Michigan, the northern states, and southern Canada to British Columbia and Washington; south to southern California, Baja California Norte, and west Texas. Also Tennessee and Missouri.

Conservation: Not usually required.

NatureServe Global Status: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.

Management needs: None reported.

You can see a map of Oregon that shows where this moth has been reported at http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=3409&chosen_state=41*Oregon

Thanks for your report and the great photos you sent.

Lisa DeBruyckere
May 28, 2008, 9:13 a.m.