Hawaiian Moth
Bugman,
Aloha. We had a interesting moth land on the deck outside our office the other day and despite our best effort we don’t know what type of moth it is (not that any of us are any sort of expert). I think we agree that it’s some sort of sphinx moth, but no one agrees what type. No one saw it flying, so we can’t say much for the movement, but it was strikingly green. We’re not too far from Honolulu in an industrial area. We see black witch moths fairly often, but not usually anything like this one. If you could help us in identifying this one, we’d be grateful.
Matt
Hi Matt,
This is a Yam Hawkmoth, Theretra nessus. You can find information on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website which indicates that this species is not native, but was introduced to Hawaii.
¶ Posted 05 February 2008 § ‡ ° Big moth in Florida
Hello
Just sent the pics of the moth in Florida and just wanted to introduce myself and say hello. I do love bugs and considering I have run my own lawn service here in Florida for the last 17 years, I do have a backlog of bug pics. I’ll pace myself. Glad your site is here. I always take the pics but alot of them just remain a mystery. Always have a critter keeper in the truck and have brought home many. Favorite to date was a bark mantis. It had personality. Just saying hello. Found this on my front porch. We have some visiting clear wing hummingbird moths and that’s what I thought it was at first. But it’s not. What is it? My best guess would be the Virginia Creeper Sphinx but not exactly. It was calm for a bit then raised it’s wings and stretched them for a bit then flew away. Video of that attached too. Fantastic moth. Please let me know what it is.
Mike Suchora
Orlando, FL
Hi Mike,
Your moth is a Gaudy Sphinx, Eumorpha labruscae. Many of the images we have received of this species are a more vivid green, while your moth is a lovely olive color. You can find wonderful photos and information on Bill Oehlke’s great website.
¶ Posted 24 January 2008 § ‡ ° Backyard Moth?
Dear Bugman:
Occasionally, I will find one of these insects attached to inner surface of my screened-in backyard patio. To me it appears to be some kind of moth but perhaps you can idetify it for me. Thanks.
Emory Brown
Largo, Florida
Hi Emory,
This is a Mournful Sphinx, Enyo lugubris. You can find photos and information on Bill Oehlke’s awesome website. According to the site: “In Florida larvae have been reported on larvae on Possum Vine ( Cissus sicyoides ) and Pepper Vine ( Ampelopsis arborea )”, so if you have those vines on your patio, it might explain the frequency of the sightings. It appears as though the wings of the specimen in your photo have not completely expanded and hardened after metamorphosis.
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¶ Posted 20 January 2008 § ‡ ° BIG AS A HUMMING BIRD.
I TOOK THIS PICTURE OUTSIDE OF CIRCUS CIRCUS HOTEL IN LAS VEGAS,NV WHILE SITTIN ON A BENCH WAITN FOR MY CAR I THOUGHT IT WAS A HUMMING BIRD BUT IT WAS NIGHT TIME I LATER NOTICED THAT IT WAS A (BUG)INSECT…WHAT IS IT?
HENRY ANDERSON.JR
Hi Henry,
Your moth is a White-Lined Sphinx, Hyles lineata, and it is often confused for a hummingbird. The Caterpillars can be quite numerous at times, are edible, and are a frequent identification request for our site.
¶ Posted 17 January 2008 § ‡ ° Flash affected Sphinx
Hi Guys,
This moth flew in amongst some foliage and it was so dark I had to use the flash. The moth I think is a sphinx moth, macroglossum joannisi. The non flash colour was a steely grey with dark charcoal markings. Imagine my surprise when I downloaded the pic to find the flash had turned it into a rainbow of colour. Don’t know if it is possible to confirm the ID given its colour change. Taken January 2008 in Brisbane. regards,
Trevor Jinks
Hi Trevor,
We are going to agree that this is Macroglossum joannisi until someone proves otherwise.
Pink-Spotted Hawkmoth in Kea’au on Big Island of Hawai’i
Hi,
I have pics I just took of a moth here in Hawaii. I didn’t know much about moths but now after researching them I like all the different types of these hawkmoths. I see them about 2-3 times a week, but never close enough to take a picture, until tonight. Enclosed are some pictures I just took tonight (12/24/07 at 8 PM) of a Pink-Spotted Hawkmoth (Agrius cingulata). The pictures were taken just outside (and inside) my jungle cabin in Orchidland (near Kea’au) in the Puna district of the Big Island of Hawai’i. Very strong flyer with wing speed that was a blur to the naked eye, and it hummed like a hummingbird. Seemed to like me and followed me inside the house and back outside. I was just researching this cool insect and thought you might want to use the pics. Love your website.
Frank K. Ward
Kea’au, Hawai’i
Hi Frank
Thanks for sending your lovely image of a Pink Spotted Hawkmoth to our site.
¶ Posted 25 December 2007 § ‡ ° Sphinx Moths?
We found these two on our garage in San Pablo CA. My guess was either some species of Sphinx moth or Hawk moth. What do you guys think?
(12/22/2007) What species is this?
We found this Caterpillar in Our driveway. We live in San Pablo California which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Can You tell me what species it is?
Your mating adult moths and the caterpillar are the same species, Cerisy’s Sphinx, Smerinthus cerisyi, which is pictured on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.
¶ Posted 23 December 2007 § ‡ ° Tagged: bug love Sphinx Moths?
We found these two on our garage in San Pablo CA. My guess was either some species of Sphinx moth or Hawk moth. What do you guys think?
(12/22/2007) What species is this?
We found this Caterpillar in Our driveway. We live in San Pablo California which is part of the San Francisco Bay Area. Can You tell me what species it is?
Your mating adult moths and the caterpillar are the same species, Cerisy’s Sphinx, Smerinthus cerisyi, which is pictured on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.
¶ Posted 23 December 2007 § ‡ ° 
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