Sphinx-moth
Guides
Protambulyx strigilis
streaked sphinx
A large sphinx moth (family Sphingidae) distributed across tropical and subtropical lowlands from Florida through Central and South America. First described by Linnaeus in 1771, it is commonly known as the streaked sphinx. The species exhibits year-round activity in equatorial regions and seasonal flight periods at higher latitudes. Larvae feed on diverse host plants including species of Spondias, Anacardium, and Schinus.
Smerinthus
Eyed Hawkmoths
Smerinthus is a Holarctic genus of hawkmoths in the family Sphingidae, containing approximately 12 recognized species. Adults are characterized by prominent eyespots on the hindwings and forewing patterns that resemble dried leaves. Adults possess reduced or absent mouthparts and do not feed. Larvae feed on a variety of host plants in the families Salicaceae and possibly others.
Smerinthus astarte
Drowsy-eyed Sphinx
Smerinthus astarte is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, currently treated as a synonym of Smerinthus cerisyi by most authorities. The species is known from western North America, with records from Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Vermont. The caterpillars feed on aspen, cottonwood, and willow foliage. Adults are nocturnal and possess distinctive eyespot patterns on the hindwings.
Smerinthus cerisyi
One-eyed Sphinx, Cerisy's Sphinx
Smerinthus cerisyi is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, recognized by the single prominent eyespot on each hindwing. The species is univoltine, with adults active throughout summer. Adults do not feed. Larvae feed on willow, poplar, pear, plum, and snowberry. The species was first described by William Kirby in 1837 and named in honor of Alexandre Louis Lefèbvre de Cérisy.
Smerinthus jamaicensis
Twin-spotted Sphinx
Smerinthus jamaicensis, commonly known as the Twin-spotted Sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is widely distributed across North America, ranging from the Yukon southward throughout most of the continent, though absent from the southern half of western California. The species belongs to a genus of sphinx moths characterized by their robust bodies and distinctive wing patterns.
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.
Smerinthus saliceti
Salicet sphinx, Salicet Sphinx Moth
Smerinthus saliceti, commonly known as the Salicet sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae first described by Jean Baptiste Boisduval in 1875. This medium-sized sphinx moth has a wingspan of 67–89 mm and is found in riparian habitats from Mexico City northward through western Texas, Arizona, and into extreme southern California. Adults are active from April to September, with evidence suggesting two generations per year. The species is associated with willow and other riparian vegetation.
Sphecodina abbottii
Abbott's sphinx
Abbott's sphinx is a North American hawk moth notable for its bee-mimicking flight and highly cryptic larval camouflage. Adults display violet-grey forewings with bark-like patterning and yellow-banded underwings. The caterpillars exhibit remarkable polymorphism, with some forms mimicking grapes while others resemble dead wood.
Sphingidae
sphinx moths, hawk moths, hornworms, hummingbird moths
The Sphingidae are a family of moths comprising approximately 1,450 species, best represented in tropical regions but occurring worldwide. Members are moderate to large in size with exceptional flight capabilities, including sustained hovering and rapid, agile maneuvering that rivals hummingbirds. Their streamlined bodies and narrow wings represent convergent evolution with nectar-feeding birds and bats. The family includes economically significant species: some adults are important pollinators with extremely long proboscises, while larval hornworms are major agricultural pests on solanaceous crops.
Sphinx asellus
Asellus Sphinx, asellus sphinx moth
Sphinx asellus is a sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, first described by Rothschild and Jordan in 1903. It inhabits arid woodlands of the southwestern United States, where adults fly during late spring and early summer. The species has a single annual generation and larvae feed on manzanita species.
Sphinx chersis
Great Ash Sphinx, Northern Ash Sphinx
Sphinx chersis is a large sphinx moth commonly known as the great ash sphinx or northern ash sphinx. Adults are active from May to August in southern regions and June to July in northern areas. The species is an ash specialist whose larvae feed on plants in the olive family (Oleaceae), particularly ash (Fraxinus), lilac (Syringa), and privet (Ligustrum). Research indicates that while larvae can develop on some non-native host plants, survival and development rates vary significantly compared to native ash.
Sphinx dollii
Doll's Sphinx, Doll's Sphinx Moth
Sphinx dollii is a medium-sized sphinx moth (Sphingidae) native to arid regions of the southwestern United States. Adults have a wingspan of 45–63 mm and are active from June to August. The species is univoltine, with larvae feeding exclusively on Juniperus species.
Sphinx drupiferarum
wild cherry sphinx
Sphinx drupiferarum, the wild cherry sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by James Edward Smith in 1797. It is found across temperate North America from the United States to southern Canada. The wingspan ranges from 75–115 mm. The larvae feed on several woody plant genera including Prunus, Malus, and Celtis.
Sphinx franckii
Franck's Sphinx, Franck's Sphinx Moth
Sphinx franckii is a large sphinx moth native to eastern North America, first described by Berthold Neumoegen in 1893. Adults have a wingspan of 100–128 mm and are active primarily at dusk and early morning. The species shows strong fidelity to ash trees as native larval hosts but has adapted to use ornamental lilac in suburban settings. Northern populations have a single generation annually, while southern populations may produce a partial second generation.
Sphinx luscitiosa
Clemens' Sphinx, Clemens' hawkmoth
Sphinx luscitiosa, commonly known as Clemens' Sphinx or Clemens' hawkmoth, is a North American sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. It was first described by James Brackenridge Clemens in 1859. The species has a single generation per year, with adults active in early summer. Larvae feed on a variety of woody plants including willow, poplar, apple, ash, bayberry, and birch.
Sphinx oslari
Sphinx oslari is a species of sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae. It is one of numerous species in the genus Sphinx, which includes several North American hawkmoths. The species is poorly documented in available literature, with limited information on its biology, distribution, and ecology. Like other sphinx moths, adults likely have strong flight capabilities and are nocturnal or crepuscular in activity.
Sphinx perelegans
elegant sphinx
Sphinx perelegans, the elegant sphinx, is a large hawkmoth species native to western North America. Adults are active from April to September and are nocturnal, attracted to light. The larvae feed on a variety of woody plants including Arctostaphylos, Prunus, and Symphoricarpos species.
Sphinx poecila
poecila sphinx, Northern Apple Sphinx
Sphinx poecila, commonly known as the poecila sphinx or Northern Apple Sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is a medium-sized sphinx moth with a wingspan of 68–95 mm. The species is found in northeastern North America, ranging from Newfoundland and Maine south to Pennsylvania and west to Michigan, northeastern Illinois, and Wisconsin. Larvae feed on a diverse array of host plants including Rosa carolina, Picea glauca, Larix laricina, and various species in the genera Alnus, Malus, Myrica, and Vaccinium.
Sphinx sequoiae
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 species in its genus besides Sphinx dollii, with which it is sometimes confused despite occupying different geographic ranges. The species completes one generation annually, with adults active from May through August.
Sphinx vanbuskirki
Sphinx vanbuskirki is a species of sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, described by Haxaire in 2020. As a recently described species, detailed information about its biology and ecology remains limited. It belongs to the genus Sphinx, which includes medium to large-sized moths commonly known as sphinx or hawk moths.
Sphinx vashti
Vashti Sphinx
Sphinx vashti, the Vashti sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is found in western North America from British Columbia to Manitoba and south to southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. The species exhibits highly variable forewing coloration ranging from pale to very dark gray, with distinctive black dashes and a black hindwing featuring white bands. It has one brood per year.
Xylophanes falco
Falcon Sphinx
Xylophanes falco is a medium-sized sphinx moth in the family Sphingidae, commonly known as the Falcon Sphinx. It occurs from Central America through Mexico into the southwestern United States. Adults are distinguished from similar species by their pale brown-beige coloration, more falcate forewings, and sharply defined wing pattern lines. The species inhabits oak woodlands and riparian corridors.
Xylophanes libya
Libya sphinx
Xylophanes libya, commonly known as the Libya sphinx, is a hawkmoth in the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Herbert Druce in 1878. It has a broad distribution across the Americas, ranging from southern Texas through Central America to South America. Adults are active year-round in parts of their range, with specific seasonal records from southern Texas in October and Bolivia in April. The larvae feed on several species of Psychotria.