What’s this moth?
Hi! I’m trying to ID a pair of mating moths my son and I found today. Michael of wormspit.com directed me to your page of a Cerisy’s Sphynx but the underwing looks more like a Blinded Sphynx. (definite “eye” spot and a salmon/pink color) Here’s the picture we took today. They are on a gooseberry bush. Can you tell what it is?
Thank you,
Lady Eleyn Scrivener
Dear Lady Eleyn Scrivener.
A location would be helpful as there are many similar looking insects in far reaching parts of the world. If you are in the continental U.S., we believe you are correct that this is a pair of Blinded Sphinxes, Paonias excaecata. Your photo is a lovely addition to our site.
¶ Posted 17 May 2006 § ‡ ° Tagged: bug love moth love!
I wonder if you might tell me about this amorous pair. I photographed them in July in Cooperstown New York. Love the website!
Thanks
Lisa Lazar
Hi Lisa,
This is the first photo we have received of the adult Bedstraw Hawk Moth, Hyles gallii. We have received images of the caterpillar in the past. Bill Oehlke has information on this moth on his wonderful Sphingidae site.
Wow! My photos made the front page of WHAT’S THAT BUG! There’s a wildflower called “Our Lady’s Bedstraw” which when I looked it up, also had the word “galium” in the Latin name, just like the moth does. Matresses must have been filled with this material, which was clearly particularly attractive to this moth… I found these two articles:
http://www.answers.com/topic/hummingbird-hawk-moth
http://www.judywoods.dial.pipex.com/plants/associations.html#anchor17891
Thanks for your speedy reply. I find your website completely engrossing!
Lisa Lazar
¶ Posted 14 May 2006 § ‡ ° Tagged: bug love What is this…
Love the site, and have a moth question for you. Can you identify this for me please? I’m having trouble finding something with this wing shape.
Charles
Hi Charles,
Bill Oehlke’s excellent Sphinx Moth site has information on the Small-Eyed Sphinx, Paonias myops.
¶ Posted 05 May 2006 § ‡ ° Big Eyed Moth
Hi Bugman!
I have one more insect for you from the Dominican. I suspect that you might not be able to help me, but I’m rather intrigued by this moth… It’s eyes are so huge! The moth itself was rather large as well. Probably between 1 1⁄2 and 2 inches long. Even if you could give me any sort of direction on this insect, and then I could continue to try and identify it online. I really appreciate any info you could dig up.
Thanks Again!
Yvonne
Hi Yvonne,
This is a Sphinx Moth, but we are unsure of the species. Try checking Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.
Hello Bugman, Thank you for referring me to Bill Oehlke’s site. I emailed him this morning and he has informed me that my specimen is Erinnyis ello, a Sphingidae (hawkmoth). He included some links as well.
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/eello.htm
http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/SphOntario.htm
I appreciate your help in identifying this moth. Have a great day!
Yvonne Metcalfe
Barrie, Ontario
¶ Posted 05 May 2006 § ‡ ° Green Moth in Ecuador
Hello!
My husband & I really enjoyed looking at your site! We are currently in Quito, Ecuador and discovered this large moth that looked like a green leaf. Upon examining it (while it was sitting on some ivy) it crawled into my hand! To my surprise, it stayed on my hand long enough for us to get quite a few pictures. We think it may be some sort of Sphinx Moth, but did not see it on your site. Can you help us identify it?
Thanks so much!!
Miranda
Hi Miranda,
We have gotten photos of the Gaudy Sphinx, Eumorpha labruscae, from Florida and it ranges through the Caribbean and Central America to Argentina.
¶ Posted 29 April 2006 § ‡ ° huge moth in Miami
Dear What’s That Bug,
This huge moth — I think it’s a moth — flew into our kitchen in Miami tonight, and hung out quietly on the ceiling the whole evening. It measured almost 4 inches from wingtip to wingtip. Can you help me identify it?
Thanks!
Tim
Hi Tim,
The Ficus Sphinx is one of the Hawk Moths.
¶ Posted 26 April 2006 § ‡ ° Incredible moth
This is a moth right? What kind is it? I found it sitting on our begonias. I live in Central FL. Thanks for your info.
Tracey Earley
Hi Tracey,
The Banded Sphinx, Eumorpha fasciatus, really is a stunning moth. The larval food plants include evening primrose and water primrose.
¶ Posted 23 April 2006 § ‡ ° What kind of caterpillas & mothsr?
Hello WTB,
I found this little guy (8 cm long) enjoying the shoots on my newly acquired Desert Rose (Adenium Obesum). I live about 20 km south of Pattaya, Thailand. Thought I would attempt to identify it before relocating it where it would not eat my beautiful shrubs! >From your site it looks like a Oleander Sphinx Hawkmoth. Can you experts please confirm. I then looked for the corresponding moth, and believe I saw one a few years ago in Pattaya when I was waiting at the local car wash. Photo attached. Can you also confirm please. This morning I found another caterpillar attacking my other Desert Rose but could not find anything similar on your site. Any ideas please? I also took a photo this morning of a very hairy looking moth by my back door. Again, any ideas what it is? Thanks and best wishes. You have a great site.
Chris
Hi Chris,
You have correctly identified both the caterpillar and adult of the Oleander Sphinx, Daphnis nerii. We believe your mystery caterpillar is one of the Milkweed Butterflies related to the Monarch. We are not sure what the Desert Rose is, but if it has a milky sap, that would support our guess.
¶ Posted 19 April 2006 § ‡ ° 
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