Extreme Southern Texas
Sphingidae

Pachylia ficus, McAllen, Texas, courtesy of Laura Elaine Moore via Greg Lasley.

This page is inspired by and dedicated to Laura Elaine Moore whose image of a Pachylia ficus larva is depicted at the top of this page.

Laura writes, September 26, 2005, "I'm the one who took the photo of the Fig Sphinx caterpillar in McAllen, Texas, that Greg Lasley got you to ID for us. Feel free to use the image on your website with the credit: Laura Elaine Moore. I snapped these photos a couple of years ago or so. I have the date at home. Let me know if you'd like to have it. I may also have shots from a couple of different angles, I'd have to check. Just let me know."

Special thanks also goes to Mike Quinn who provides many sightings and images from extreme southern Texas. Mike has provided the two larval images below from Cameron County and Hidalgo County.

Joshua S. Rose reports the following species from Hidalgo County:
Ceratomia undulosa; Manduca rustica; Manduca sexta (larva as well as adult); Sphinx libocedrus; Aellopos sp. (several poor in-flight photos); Enyo lugubris; Erinnyis ello (larva as well as adult); Erinnyis obscura; Pachylia ficus (larva as well as adult); Eumorpha satellita; Eumorpha vitis (larva as well as adult); Hyles lineata (larva as well as adult); Xylophanes tersa (larva as well as adult).

Eumorpha satellitia licaon, October 20, 2005,
Sabal Palm Audubon Center & Sanctuary Brownsville, Cameron Co., courtesy of Mike Quinn.

Erinnyis ello, October 24, 2005,
Bentsen-RGV State Park, Mission, Hidalgo County, courtesy of Mike Quinn.

Seventy-five Sphingidae species are listed for Texas on the U.S.G.S. website. Not all of the species are reported or anticipated in the extreme southern region (Starr, Hidalgo, Willacy, Cameron). It is hoped that this checklist, with the thumbnails and notes, will help you quickly identify the moths you are likely to encounter.

A "USGS" indicates the moth is reported on the USGS website and/or in Lepidoptera of North America, #1. Distribution of Silkmoths (Saturniidae) and Hawkmoths (Sphingidae) of Eastern North America, an excellent little booklet available through Paul Opler.

Please help me develop this list with improved, documented accuracy by sending sightings (species, date, location), preferably with an electronic image, via email to Bill Oehlke.

The night-blooming moon flower will attract many Sphingidae at dusk and into the night.

Sphinginae subfamily Sphingini tribe: Agrius cingulata, USGS Pink-spotted hawkmoth, This species is a strong migrant and adults nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), honey suckle (Lonicera) and petunia (Petunia species). Cat Traylor larval image at bottom of page, November 9, 2006 Ceratomia catalpae USGS, the Catalpa Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown with no white markings, but there are indistinct black lines and dashes. The cell spot is gray with a black outline. The larvae feed in large groups and are much more spectacular than the moths. Catalpa is the larval host. Ceratomia undulosa USGS/JSR, the 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, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Dolba hyloeus USGS, 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. Manduca florestan USGS, stray The upperside of the forewing is gray to yellowish gray to brown, with whitish patches and black markings, including two dashes running from the cell out toward the margin. The reddish brown patch just outside the cell and above the dashes is the most distinguishing character. Manduca quinquemaculatus USGS, the Five-spotted Hawkmoth I suspect if you grow tomatoes, you are likely to encounter Manduca quinquemaculata. Manduca rustica USGS/JSR, the Rustic Sphinx Look for three large yellow spots on each side of the abdomen. The upperside of the forewing is yellowish brown to deep chocolate brown with a dusting of white scales and zigzagged black and white lines. Manduca rustica, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Manduca rustica, Mission (Hidalgo County), Texas, April 16, 2006, courtesy of Gil Quintanilla. Manduca sexta USGS/GAR/JSR, the Carolina Sphinx If you grow tomatoes, you have probably encountered Manduca sexta in the larval stage. Larvae get very large and can strip a tomato plant. Manduca sexta, prey to Scelopterus olivaceus, Brownsville, Cameron County, Texas, October 1, 2009, courtesy of Gus A. Rentfro. Manduca sexta, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Paratrea plebeja USGS, the Plebeian Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is gray with indistinct black and white markings. There is a series of black dashes from the base to the tip, and a small white cell spot. Sphinx libocedrus USGS/JSR, the Incense Cedar Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale blue-gray to dark gray with a black dash reaching the wing tip and a white stripe along the lower outer margin. The upperside of the hindwing is black with two diffuse white bands, the upper one being practically non-existent. Sphinx libocedrus, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Macroglossinae subfamily Dilophonotini tribe: Aellopos clavipes USGS, the Aellopos Sphinx. The body is dark brown with a wide white band across the abdomen. Wings are dark brown. The forewing has a black cell spot and 3 white spots near the pale brown marginal area. Note absence of white scales near hindwing anal angle. rare Aellopos clavipes, adult, August 28, 2006, Hidalgo, Gil Quintanilla Aellopos fadus USGS, the Fadus Sphinx. The body is brown with a wide white band across the abdomen. The upperside of wings is dark brown; the forewing has two bands of pale spots and lacks a black spot (typical of clavipes) at the end of the cell. rare Aellopos titan USGS, the Titan Sphinx. The body is dark brown with a wide white stripe across the abdomen. The wings are dark brown. It is very similar to above species, but the upperside of the hindwing has pale patches along the costa and inner margin. rare Enyo lugubris, the Mournful Sphinx, USGS/JSR stray The body and wings are dark brown. The forewing has a large black patch covering most of the outer half of the wing. There is a pale tan cell spot (dark inner pupil), and a fairly straight median line to the inside of the cell spot. Enyo lugubris, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Erinnyis alope USGS, the Alope Sphinx, stray The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with short yellowish streaks on the forward half and wavy yellowish bands on the rear half. Erinnyis domingonis USGS, the Dominican Sphinx This moth flies in Haiti and Jamaica south to Paraguay and Bolivia with occasional sightings in Texas and Arizona. Erinnyis ello MQ/USGS/JSR, the Ello Sphinx This species is sporadically reported in southern Texas counties. Mike Quinn provides larval image, October 24, 2005, Hidalgo Co. Males and females differ. Erinnyis ello, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Erinnyis lassauxi USGS, the Dominican Sphinx This moth flies in Haiti and Jamaica south to Paraguay and Bolivia with occasional sightings in Texas and Arizona. Erinnyis obscura, the Obscure Sphinx, USGS/JSR During the night adults nectar at flowers, including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis) and Asystasia gangetica beginning at dusk. July and August are flight times in the southern states. rare Erinnyis obscura, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Pachylia ficus, the Fig Sphinx, USGS/GAR/JSR The upperside of the forewing is orangish brown with a paler patch along the costa at the tip. The upperside of the hindwing is orange to orangish brown with a black outer border, a black median band, and a white spot on the outer margin near the body. Pachylia ficus, Brownsville, Cameron County, courtesy of Gus A. Rentfro. Erinnyis ello, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Pseudosphinx tetrio, the Tetrio Sphinx, MQ The upperside of the forewing is dark brown with a dark spot at the base of the costa and blurry gray and white markings. The fw outer margin is quite dentate in the male. The upperside of the hindwing is dark brown with white along the inner margin, and the lower half of the outer margin. Philampelini tribe: Eumorpha megaeacus USGS, the Eacus Sphinx The moth's upperside is brown with indistinct dark and yellow-brown markings. A yellow-brown band runs parallel to the inner margin from the base almost to the outer margin on the forewing. stray Eumorpha fasciatus USGS, the Banded Sphinx The upperside of the moth is dark pinkish brown. Each forewing has a lighter brown band along the costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. Larvae feed upon primrose-willow, Ludwigia (water primrose) and other plants in the evening primrose family. Eumorpha labruscae USGS/Jason Tormo , the Gaudy Sphinx The Gaudy Sphinx flies in America, and although primarily a tropical species, it has been taken as far north as Saskatchewan as a stray. Forewings are a vibrant grey-green. Eumorpha pandorus USGS, the Pandorus Sphinx If you have Grape or Virginia Creeper nearby, then you probably have this species. I often get asked to identify larvae from areas not previously reported. Eumorpha satellitia MQ/USGS/GAR/JSR, the Satellite Sphinx The Satellite Sphinx Moth, Eumorpha satellitia satellitia flies in Jamaica and from Mexico to Ecuador and further south into Bolivia. Mike Quinn provides larval image October 20, 2005 (Cameron Co.).stray Eumorpha satellitia, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Eumorpha vitis USGS/JSR, the Vine Sphinx The upperside of the moth is dark pinkish brown. Each forewing has a lighter brown band along the costa, and sharp pinkish white bands and streaks. The hindwing has a pink patch on the inner margin. Eumorpha vitis, Brownsville, Cameron County, September 27, 2009, Gus A. Rentfro. Eumorpha vitis, Mission (Hidalgo County), Texas, September 10, 2006, courtesy of Gil Quintanilla. Eumorpha vitis, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Macroglossini tribe: Amphion floridensis USGS, the Nessus Sphinx 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. Cautethia spuria USGS, the Spurious Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale silvery gray with black markings; in some moths the wing base may be very dark. The upperside of the hindwing is deep yellow with a black border that covers more than half the wing. Hyles lineata USGS/JSR, the White-lined Sphinx This species has strong migrating tendancies from much further south. There are records from New Hampshire and Maine. Hyles lineata, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose Proserpinus juanita USGS, the Juanita Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale gray-green with a deep green-brown median area and a white dash at the wing tip. rare Xylophanes libya USGS, The upperside of the forewing is olive brown with darker shading and dark longitudinal lines. The upperside of the hindwing is dark olive brown with an orange-yellow postmarginal band. rare Xylophanes pluto USGS, the Pluto Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is olive green with a paler median band and pale lines with purple shading along them. The upperside of the hindwing has a white spot surrounded by black at the base, a wide orangish yellow median band, and a brown to greenish band along the outer margin. The head and flared thorax of larva suggest the appearance of a snake. Pupa found outdoors, December 5, 2005, emerged January 4, indoors; Cat Traylor, Edinburg, Hidalgo Adult moth observed outdoors, December 24, 2005; Cat Traylor, Hidalgo Xylophanes tersa USGS/JSR, the Tersa Sphinx The upperside of the forewing is pale brown with lavender-gray at the base and has dark brown lengthwise lines throughout. The upperside of the hindwing is dark brown with a band of whitish, wedge-shaped marks. Xylophanes tersa, Hidalgo County, Joshua S. Rose

Aellopos clavipes, Hidalgo County, Texas, August 28, 2006, courtesy of Gil Quintanilla

From Southern Texas, Cat Traylor reports, this one "was chowing down on my yellow morning glories (Ipomoea ochracea)."

Agrius cingulata on Ipomoea ochracea, courtesy of Cat Traylor.

Bill Dempwolf reports the following from South Padre Island near the tropical tip of southeastern Texas: Agrius cingulata, Manduca sexta, Manduca quinquemaculatus, Manduca rustica, Pseudosphinx tetrio, Erinnyis ello, Erinnyis obscura, Aellopos clavipes, Aellopos titan, Eumorpha vitis, Xylophanes tersa and Hyles lineata.

Enjoy some of nature's wonderments, giant silk moth cocoons. These cocoons are for sale winter and fall. Beautiful Saturniidae moths will emerge the following spring and summer. Read Actias luna rearing article. Additional online help available.

Eggs of many North American species are offered during the spring and summer. Occasionally summer Actias luna and summer Antheraea polyphemus cocoons are available. Shipping to US destinations is done from with in the US.

Use your browser "Back" button to return to the previous page.

This page is brought to you by Bill Oehlke and the WLSS. Pages are on space rented from Bizland. If you would like to become a "Patron of the Sphingidae Site", contact Bill.

Please send sightings/images to Bill. I will do my best to respond to requests for identification help.

Show appreciation for this site by clicking on flashing butterfly to the left. The link will take you to a page with links to many insect sites.

This website has been created and is maintained by Bill Oehlke without government or institutional financial assistance. All expenses, ie., text reference support material, webspace rental from Bizland, computer repairs/replacements, backups systems, software for image adjustments (Adobe Photoshop; L-View), ftp software, anti-virus protection, scanner, etc. are my own.

I very much appreciate all the many images that have been sent to me, or of which I have been granted permission to copy and post from other websites. All images on this site remain the property of respective photographers.

If you would like to contribute to the maintenace of this website by sending a contribution to

Bill Oehlke
Box 476
155 Peardon Road
Montague, Prince Edward Island, C0A1R0
Canada

your donation would be much appreciated and would be used for
1) paying for webspace rental;
2) paying for computer maintenance and software upgrades;
3) purchases of additional text reference material (journals and books) in anticipation of expanding the site to a worldwide Sphingidae site;
4) helping to pay my daughter's tuition; with anything left over going to humanitarian aid.

If you are mailing a check from USA, please use $0.85 postage. Donations can also be made through Paypal via the button below.