Sphinx sequoiae

Boisduval, 1868

Sequoia Sphinx

Sphinx sequoiae is a small sphinx moth native to western North America, ranging from Oregon through California, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and into northern Baja California. It is the smallest in its besides Sphinx dollii, with which it is sometimes confused despite occupying different geographic ranges. The species completes one annually, with active from May through August.

Sphinx sequoiae by (c) nmoorhatch, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by nmoorhatch. Used under a CC-BY license.

Sphinx sequoiae, female, upperside. United States, California by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Sphinx sequoiae, male, upperside. by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Sphinx sequoiae: //sfiŋks sɛˈkwɔ.i.aɪ//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from other Sphinx by its small size (second smallest in ), ash-gray coloration with black dashes on forewings, and geographic range. May be confused with Sphinx dollii, but that species occupies different regions. The pointed forewings and monotone hindwings separate it from many with more patterned wings.

Images

Habitat

Particularly common in juniper and cedar forests, including those east of the Cascade Range in the Pacific Northwest. Associated with coniferous woodland in arid and semi-arid regions of the western United States and adjacent Mexico.

Distribution

Western North America from Oregon south through California, Nevada, south-eastern Utah, Arizona, and into northern Baja California, Mexico.

Seasonality

Single per year; fly from May through August. activity pattern.

Diet

feed on nectar from flowers of western chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) and California buckeye (Aesculus californica). Larvae feed on California juniper (Juniperus californica), Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma), and California incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens).

Host Associations

Juniperus californica - larval California juniper
Juniperus osteosperma - larval Utah juniper
Calocedrus decurrens - larval California incense cedar
Prunus virginiana - nectar sourcewestern chokecherry
Aesculus californica - nectar sourceCalifornia buckeye

Life Cycle

Single per year. are laid and hatch into larvae that feed on conifers. Larvae pupate in soil or debris. emerge May through August, with the in the pupal stage.

Behavior

are and attracted to light. They exhibit typical sphinx moth hovering when feeding at flowers. Larvae are solitary feeders on foliage.

Ecological Role

serve as of their nectar plants. Larvae are herbivores that consume foliage of juniper and cedar , contributing to nutrient cycling in coniferous woodland . The species is part of the supporting of sphinx moths.

Human Relevance

Minor significance. may be observed at porch lights. Not known to be an agricultural or forestry pest. The was first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1868.

Similar Taxa

Sphinx dolliiSimilar small size and sometimes confused with S. sequoiae, but occupies different geographic regions
Sphinx chersisLarger congeneric sphinx moth with different wing pattern and coloration

More Details

Taxonomic history

First described by French entomologist Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1868.

Etymology

Specific epithet 'sequoiae' refers to the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), though the is not specifically associated with that tree; rather, it reflects the coniferous forest of the Sierra Nevada region.