Strange large moth type insect
June 27, 2010
Discovered this moth in our backyard in Colorado Springs, Colorado on June 26, 2010. I thought it was a leaf. Very effective camouflage. It was perhaps 2″ long. Can you identify it?
R. Lee Mundorff
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Achemon Sphinx
Dear R. Lee,
Your moth is an Achemon Sphinx and you may read more about this species on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website where he indicates: “Those who first published descriptions and assigned scientific names to many insects, simply chose names of biblical or mythological origin without any real descriptive qualities. Their purpose was simply to set a standard for purposes of identification by assigned name. On some occasions, names, mostly of Latin or Greek origin, were chosen to signify a particular character of the genus or of an individual species. The genus name ‘Eumorpha’ means well-formed.In Greek mythology, Achemon and his brother Basalas were two Cercopes who were constantly arguing. One day they insulted Hercules, who tied them by their feet to his club and marched off with them like a brace of hares.“
¶ Posted 27 June 2010 § ‡ ° Pink Spotted Hawkmoth?
June 13, 2010
Hello Bugman: What a great site! This morning I found this large moth resting on my screen door June 13, 2010, at my lake home in northwestern Illinois. I spent a lot of time on the Internet today trying to identify him and it was harder given I didn’t spread his wings (I’m a little squeamish about moths) (too much Silence of the Lambs). Can you tell me for sure what this guy is?
Thanks, Diana R., Davis, Illinois
South facing screen door, Lake Summerset, Davis, Illinois 61019
Pink Spotted Hawkmoth
Hi Diana,
Congratulations on properly identifying this Pink Spotted Hawkmoth, Agrius cingulata. That is no small feat considering that its signature coloration is hidden. Readers who want to see the lovely pink spotting on the abdomen and the pink stripes on the underwings can see this moth on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website. We are postdating this letter to go live in our absence from the office over the next week.
¶ Posted 19 June 2010 § ‡ ° Unidentified sphinx moth
June 9, 2010
This beautiful animal just happened to enter through our window.
I am unable to identify it further than to say it is a sphinx moth.
Thanks!
Joaquim
Spain (north east)
Lime Hawkmoth
Hi Joaquim,
You encountered a Lime Hawkmoth, Mimas tiliae, a species that has an extensive profile on the Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic website which states: “On the Iberian Peninsula this species is recorded from northern Spain and northern Portugal, with a small population in the mountains of central Spain (Pérez De-Gregorio et al., 2001). However, Rambur (1942) records a single individual from Malaga, Spain, but it’s status in this area requires confirmation.“ We are planning ahead for a trip we will be taking next week to Ohio, and we are presetting your letter and photo to post during our absence between June 15 and June 23 so that our readership will continue to get daily updates to the website.
¶ Posted 10 June 2010 § ‡ ° bumble bee ant/hummingbird
June 6, 2010
Saw this bug out on my balcony in Chicago. It had the fast fluttering wings hummingbirds have with yellow and black stripes on it’s body, which looked like an ant or something similar. It landed on a pile of my dog’s poop and seemed to be… eating it I guess, for about 5 minutes before I threw a dog toy near it so I could get a picture of it flying around, then it flew away after I got these pics. I was a wuss though and took these from inside. Googled “bumble bee hummingbird” and learned there IS a species called this, but this thing didn’t look like those.
(Sorry about the poop in the pics , tried to crop them as best i could)
Samantha
Chicago
Nessus Sphinx feeds from dog feces
Hi Samantha,
We have been meaning to get back to you on this identification. Your moth is a Nessus Sphinx, Amphion floridensis, one of several diurnal moths in the family Sphingidae that are frequently mistaken for hummingbirds. According to the Butterfly Conservation website: “It is thought that butterflies [and apparently moths as well] that are attracted to animal droppings are looking for the mineral supplements that they have in them.“
¶ Posted 10 June 2010 § ‡ ° Hummingbird flight and beak like creature
June 9, 2010
No larger than, but approximately 2″ long with 2 distinct bumble-bee yellow colored stripes on lower back near tail (these show up as white in the photo’s). Beak approximately 3/4″ long. Appears to have 8 legs. Hovering over flower heads with beak in center of Red Valerian flower. Never landing. Rapid, hummingbird-like flight and wing speed.
Wit’s End
Southwest corner of Mi. Town:Delton, Michigan
Nessus Sphinx
Dear Wit’s End,
The Nessus Sphinx, Amphion floridensis, that you have photographed is one of many diurnal moths in the family Sphingidae that are often confused for hummingbirds. You can read more about the Nessus Sphinx on BugGuide.
¶ Posted 10 June 2010 § ‡ ° large moth
June 6, 2010
This insect was clinging to a woody stem that I clipped. There is a lot of leaf litter and mulch in this area, and the camouflage is very good. This was on 6/4/10 about mid-day. The insect never attempted to fly away, and it looks as though part of the cocoon is still on it’s head. It was about 2 inches long, though I did not measure it. I plant lots of natives in my yard and often find interesting insects.
Jeanette
Denver, CO
Achemon Sphinx
Hi Jeanette,
According to BugGuide, the larvae of the Achemon Sphinx feed on grape, Virginia creeper and other vines. Adults will be attracted to flowers with nectar like honeysuckle and nicotiana.
¶ Posted 07 June 2010 § ‡ ° Moth
June 5, 2010
Hi Bugman,
This picture was taken in Drumheller, Alberta, Canada on June 5, 2010. I have never seen a moth like this before, It has a wingspan of 2 inches and very unique antennas compared to other moths I’ve seen. I have looked on the internet and can’t find another like it and was wondering if you could help me identify it?
Robert Arnold
Drumheller, Alberta, Canada
One Eyed Sphinx
Hi Robert,
Your moth is a One Eyed Sphinx or Cerisy’s Sphinx, Smerinthus cerisyi, and you may read more about it on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.
¶ Posted 05 June 2010 § ‡ ° Virginia Creeper Sphinx ?
May 13, 2010
This little fellow made its way into the house this evening. It finally tired of flying around and stopped long enough for some photos before going on its merry way (outside) I do believe I have an ID after pouring over your website. I think it is a “Virginia Creeper Sphinx.” Thanks to your wonderful website each insect I come in contact with is now a challange to ID it.. Thank You
Richard
North Middle Tennessee
Virginia Creeper Sphinx
Dear Richard,
You should be congratulated for self identifying your Virginia Creeper Sphinx, Darapsa myron. You can see the entire life cycle on Bill Oehlke’s excellent website.
Virginia Creeper Sphinx
¶ Posted 14 May 2010 § ‡ ° 
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