moth like black and white bug
August 8, 2009
My cat found this bug today and tried to bring it inside, I’ve looked all over the internet and can’t figure out what it is.
Patti K.
Phoenix, AZ
Northern Ash Sphinx
Hi Patti,
This is a Northern Ash Sphinx or Great Ash Sphinx, Sphinx chersis, and it is newly metamorphosed, which may be why you had difficulty identifying it. The caterpillar pupates underground, and once it “hatches” it needs to dig to the surface. It is vulnerable at that point, which is probably why your cat found it. You can see more images and get more information on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website.
¶ Posted 09 August 2009 § ‡ ° Large moth
August 7, 2009
Hello,
I saw this big moth clinging to a cedar tree in my yard last June. It was about 4 inches long.
Phil Norton
Oshkosh
Waved Sphinx
Hi PHil,
This is a Waved Sphinx, Ceratomia undulosa. You may read about it on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website.
¶ Posted 07 August 2009 § ‡ ° What’s that moth?
August 6, 2009
We have identified several moths this past week feeding on our four o’clocks, (well, WTB did). Achemon, clear wing hummingbird, and banded sphinx. What is this moth? Thanks and keep up the good work, love your site!
Jennifer & Gary
Lakeland, FL
Carolina Sphinx
Hi Jennifer and Gary,
If you researched the moths in your garden on our site, you did the identification. This is a Carolina Sphinx, Manduca sexta, one of two species (the other being the Tobacco Sphinx, Manduca quinquemaculata) with caterpillars that feed on Tomato plant leaves. These caterpillars are sometimes called Tomato Hornworms. You may read more about your Carolina Sphinx on Bill Oehlke’s awesome website.
¶ Posted 07 August 2009 § ‡ ° Can you identify this insect?
August 5, 2009
Bees are regular visitor to our Bee Balm flowers. Today we saw what we thought was a small humming bird, but the pictures reveal six legs. It is larger than a bubble bee, and flies like a humming bird. It is August in Wisconsin.
Paul Sanders
Waukesha, Wisconsin
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Hi Paul,
Diurnal Sphinx Moths in the genus Hemaris are often confused for hummingbirds, hence the common name of Hummingbird Clearwing Moth, Hemaris thysbe.
Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
¶ Posted 06 August 2009 § ‡ ° Moth? Approx 2 1/2 inches high
August 3, 2009
Hi! Hope you can help Identify this moth hanging out on the wall outside our door in Biddeford, Maine. Approx 2 1/2 inches high. House is surrounded by woods, a lot of pines. I’ve searched through sphynx moth info, but couldn’t find anything that seemed to match! Thanks!
Suzie in Maine
Biddeford Maine
Blinded Sphinx
Hi Suzie,
Your moth is a Blinded Sphinx, Paonias excaecata, and you may read more about the species on Bill Oehlke’s awesome website. We are currently working on our book chapter tentatively titled Entomology and Etymology and we are quite intrigued with how insects get their common and scientific names. This is known as the Blinded Sphinx because there are no “pupils” in the “eyespots” on the lower wings which are not visible in your photo. Many moths have these eyespots. If a bird or other predator disturbs the resting moth, it will reveal the lower wings with the spots and hopefully startle the predator into thinking the prey is much larger than it really is and that it is possibly about to eat the predator.
¶ Posted 04 August 2009 § ‡ ° Strange Moth found in Michigan
July 31, 2009
I found this moth while on vacation in the upper peninsula of Michigan and had to photograph it. This was during the summer. Since the photos were taken a few years ago, I don’t remember the exact size, but I estimate it to be around 1.5 inches long. I’ve been trying to find it online and so far I think it’s either some kind of sphinx moth, or a silk moth, but I’m having trouble identifying it. Any ideas?
Kevin
Crystal Falls, Michigan (Upper Peninsula)
Twin Spotted Sphinx
Hi Kevin,
We just posted an image of a One Eyed Sphinx a few minutes ago, and this is a closely related species, the Twin Spotted Sphinx, Smerinthus jamaicensis. Here is how Bill Oehlke distinguishes the two species from one another: “Smerinthus jamaicensis closely resembles Smerinthus cerisyi, but jamaicensis is much smaller with larger blue patches on more vibrant and deeper purple in the lower wings. Also note the complete (i.e. outer margin to outer margin) off-white arc just below the forewing apex. In S. cerisyi the lower portion of the arc does not return to the outer margin.”
¶ Posted 31 July 2009 § ‡ ° Unknown Moth Found at My Work
July 31, 2009
Found in Forest Grove, Oregon today. Tried looking online, and failed. Is it local? Or could it have come from another country? We do get pallets of goods at my work from around the world it could have came with.
It has an open wingspan of 3 inches when fully opened.
Alex P
Forest Grove, Oregon
One Eyed Sphinx
Dear Alex,
The One Eyed Sphinx, Smerinthus cerisyi, is a local species for you. You may read more by visiting Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website.
¶ Posted 31 July 2009 § ‡ ° What is this? Is it a butterfly?
July 31, 2009
I have been wondering if this is just some kind of butterfly. I found this in my backyard. I thought it was just a leaf, but the only tree I have in my yard is a pine tree. It is summer time as well, so there are not many dead leaves around right now, which is what this looks like.
Do you have any ideas what this could be?
Kristina
New Mexico
Achemon Sphinx
Hi Kristina,
This is a moth, not a butterfly. It is an Achemon Sphinx, Eumorpha achemon, and you may read more about it on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website.
¶ Posted 31 July 2009 § ‡ ° 
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