Eyed-sphinx
Guides
Smerinthus ophthalmica
Western Eyed Sphinx
Smerinthus ophthalmica is a sphinx moth (family Sphingidae) found in western North America. Originally described by Boisduval in 1855, it was long treated as a synonym or subspecies of S. cerisyi until elevated to full species status in 2010 based on morphological and genetic differences. It is distinguished from S. cerisyi by a pale brown phenotype, less scalloped forewing margins, smoother postmedian lines, sharper antemedian line angle, and narrower male antennal serrations. The species is known to lay eggs readily on illuminated sheets during moth-attracting events.