what’s this?
Hi
I write for a local news paper on the Outer Banks of N.C. I spotted this fascinating creature on the beach, perched on the piling under a pier. Any idea what it is? Thanks for your help.
Megan Shaw
Hi Megan,
We hope our little trip home to hot and humid Ohio to plant tomatoes for mom did not interfere with you doing a newspaper article on the lovely Pandorus Sphinx, Eumorpha pandorus. The Pandorus Sphinx is sometimes mistaken for a hummingbird because of its color, shape and flight pattern. Caterpillars feed on grape and Virginia creeper.
¶ Posted 05 June 2008 § ‡ ° Nessus Sphinx, Amphion floridensis?
I was just given your site when trying to find the identity of this moth. I see from other shots that it appears to be a Nessus Sphinx – am I right, and is this unusual for northern illinois, as I’ve never seen one before in this area. Thanks, enjoyed you site very much – thought you might like the pictures….
Bill Gigliotti
hi Bill,
Your identification of the Nessus Sphinx is correct. Bill Oehlke’s website lists Illinois as withing the typical range.
¶ Posted 03 June 2008 § ‡ ° Moth?
I found this bug (moth?) at the front door at work this morning. It didn’t move for about 6 hours so I tapped it and holy crap it grew eye balls and changed colors. Any idea what this is? Regards
Chris Burtis
Auburn, WA
hi Chris,
Your moth is known as the One Eyed Sphinx.
¶ Posted 28 May 2008 § ‡ ° Nessus Sphinx Moth ?
Hi there,
I saw this little guy buzzing around my garden this morning until it landed on a dwarf spruce tree and stayed in the same spot for about 4 hours letting me take numerous pictures of him. Was he tired? I live 20 feet from the open water of Lake St. Clair, Michigan in New Baltimore, Michigan which is about 35 miles northeast of Detroit. I believe to be a Nessus Sphinx moth. I have attached some pictures. Can you confirm? Thanks.
Linda Schmitt
Hi Linda,
Your identification of the Nessus Sphinx, Amphion floridensis, is correct. The best place to identify sphinx moths is Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website.
¶ Posted 25 May 2008 § ‡ ° Hummingbird moth?
Can you tell me what kind of moth this is? I’ve been calling it a hummingbird moth, but I’d like to know for sure. I took these pics on May 28 last year, when I spotted this beautiful moth on my lilacs. We live in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s the first and only time I’ve seen one! Thanks!
Daryl Ann Anderson
Alston, Michigan
hi Daryl,
This appears to be Hemaris diffinis, the Snowberry Clearwing or Bumblebee Moth.
¶ Posted 24 May 2008 § ‡ ° Hi! Can you tell me what these two moths are?
Kathy
Adams Lake, B.C. Canada May 24th 2008
 |  |
| Small Eyed Sphinx | Snowberry Sphinx |
Hi Kathy,
Both of your moths are Sphinx Moths. The brown one with the undulating patterns is a Small Eyed Sphinx, Paonias myops, and you can find out more about it on Bill Oehlke’s wonderful website. We believe your second gray moth is a Snowberry Sphinx, Sphinx vashti, but it might also be the similar looking Elegant Sphinx, Sphinx perelegans. We will try to contact Bill Oehlke to see if he can conclusively identify it.
Update: (05/25/2008)
Hi Daniel,
It is Sphinx vashti, Can you please ask Kathy to contact me as I would like permission to use images with credit to her. … Thanks for the referals to my site and kind words.
Bill Oehlke
¶ Posted 24 May 2008 § ‡ ° wtb
Hi Bugman,
Here is a link to a couple of images of a very large moth I found today, sitting on my bicylce, waiting for a ride to the shops. It would appear to measure around 45mm nose to tail and 50mm wingspan at rest (as seen in the picture on my bike). Is it one of the Sphynx genus perhaps? I would love to know what specific species it is and would be grateful if you can let me know. If you want a picture for your site, you should be able to download it directly, or if you are not able to, let me know and I will supply one. Thanks in advance!
Dave
Hi Dave,
After writing back requesting your location, we followed a hunch based on your email address indicating you sent this from UK. We quickly located the Seathorn Hawkmoth, Hyles hippophaes, on the UK Moths website.
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for the reply. You would appear to have ‘nailed’ my moth, judging by other images of the Seathorn Hawkmoth. In answer to your question, I am in fact located in Cyprus, sorry I guess that would have been a fairly import bit of info I should have included. I am attaching an image of ‘my’ moth, who incidentally, has now moved on to pastures new.
Dave
¶ Posted 18 May 2008 § ‡ ° Weird green flying insect
Hi there,
I live in manchester uk and my daughter seen this strange looking insect whilst walking home from college. Ive never seen anything like it before and cant find anything even resembling it. do you know what it is please as im really curious now. Many Thanks
Rachael
hi Rachael,
This is a Lime Hawkmoth, Mimas tiliae. If you want additional information, visit the UK Moths website.
¶ Posted 16 May 2008 § ‡ ° 
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