Big Poplar Sphinx

by

Subject:  Handsome moth
Geographic location of the bug:  Terrebonne, Oregon
Date: 07/15/2019
Time: 12:58 AM EDT
Your letter to the bugman:  I found this fellow on my porch railing. I was wondering what kind it is.
How you want your letter signed:  Marietta

Big Poplar Sphinx

Dear Marietta,
Your image is lovely.  We believe this is a Big Poplar Sphinx, Pachysphinx occidentalis, based on images and information on the Sphingidae of the Americas site where it states it “flies in riparian areas and suburbs from Alberta and North Dakota west to eastern Washington; south to Texas, Arizona, southern California, and Baja California Norte.”  Because of the lack of feathering on the antennae, your individual is a female, additionally evidenced by her plump, egg-filled abdomen.

That makes sense, because even though we are in the desert, we have hybrid poplars in our yard.
Thank you.
Marietta
You should keep an eye out for the larval Hornworm, pictured on BugGuide.

Thanks. I’ve seen these and others, it helps to know what they feed on. I plant tomatoes FOR the hornworms. My neighbors hate me! Ha! You can’t have big, beautiful moths without big, ugly caterpillars.
Our hybrid poplars are also very popular with the Mourning Cloak butterflies.
Thanks for your time.
Marietta

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