Two Sphinx Moths
Location: Sidney, Maine
July 19, 2011 3:31 pm
I’ve been trying to find and identify the different moths around my house, but am a bit stuck with these two. One I THINK may be a Catalpa Sphinx, while the other I have no clue on. Any hints on the mystery sphinx and am I right about the other being a Catalpa?
Signature: Steve
Hi Steve,
We believe we have identified both of your Sphinx Moths thanks to the Sphingidae of the Americas Maine page. The individual you believed to be a Catalpa Sphinx is more likely another member of the same genus, the Elm Sphinx or Four Horned Sphinx, Ceratomia amyntor, based on the photos on the Sphingidae of the Americas site. We believe your second moth is the Northern Pine Sphinx, Lapara bombycoides, which is also pictured on the Sphingidae of the Americas site. Just to be certain, we will contact Bill Oehlke to get his opinion.
Thank you! I considered Northern Pine Sphinx, but was not sure and had not even considered that the other might be an Elm Sphinx!
Steve Lemieux
Bill Oehlke provides a correction
Hi Daniel,
The Ceratomia is undulosa (Waved Sphinx) not amyntor (Elm Sphinx).
You are correct about the Northern Pine Sphinx, Lapara bombycoides
Please ask Steve to contact me or provide his email address
Bill Oehlke