Modest sphinx
Pachysphinx modesta (Harris, 1839)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Upperside of forewing is gray with the basal third lighter; sometimes the outer third also is light, leaving just the median band dark. Upperside of hindwing is gray with a crimson patch and an inward-pointing blue-black triangle near the outer margin.
Wing Span: 3 - 4 11/16 inches (7.6 - 12 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs on leaves of the hosts, and the eggs hatch in about 9 days. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in shallow burrows in the ground.
Flight: . One brood in the north from June-July, two broods in the south from May-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Poplar, aspen, and cottonwood (Populus) and willow (Salix).
Adult Food: Adults do not feed.
Habitat: Riparian areas and moist mountainsides.
Range: Maine south to north Florida; west to Washington, Oregon, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. Also Baja California Norte.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 767 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 27, 2023
Submitted by: npacadia
Region: Hancock County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 27, 2023
Observation date: Jul 17, 2023
Submitted by: Barometz
Region: Essex County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 25, 2023
Observation date: Jul 20, 2023
Submitted by: Fatcatness
Region: Crawford County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 23, 2023
Observation date: Jul 15, 2023
Submitted by: Jgrapes
Region: Kings County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 16, 2023
Observation date: Jul 12, 2023
Submitted by: KashGypsy
Region: Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Jul 12, 2023
Observation date: Jun 24, 2023
Submitted by: JBullerwell
Region: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jun 24, 2023
Observation date: Jun 17, 2023
Submitted by: MothMan137
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 17, 2023
Observation date: May 30, 2023
Submitted by: NatureLady072
Region: Essex County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jun 15, 2023
Observation date: Jun 14, 2023
Submitted by: Sometimes
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 14, 2023
Observation date: Jun 12, 2023
Submitted by: MelissaMe
Region: Piscataquis County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jun 13, 2023
Observation date: Jun 03, 2023
Submitted by: hvarle
Region: Oxford County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jun 04, 2023
Observation date: Jun 02, 2023
Submitted by: IntrnetCat
Region: Sussex County, New Jersey, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 02, 2023
Observation date: May 31, 2023
Submitted by: ythibodeau
Region: Quebec, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jun 01, 2023
Observation date: Jun 16, 2022
Submitted by: Jdczar
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Mar 20, 2023
Observation date: Jun 12, 2022
Submitted by: BustedRodLodge
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: chalicerae
Verified date: Mar 20, 2023
Observation date: Jul 16, 2016
Submitted by: Heidricka
Region: Emmet County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 01, 2023
Observation date: Jun 13, 2016
Submitted by: Auggyfamily
Region: United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 01, 2023
Observation date: Jul 06, 2022
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Teton County, Wyoming, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 05, 2022
Observation date: Aug 18, 2022
Submitted by: Scipio McDaniel
Region: Wyandotte County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: James Steen
Verified date: Aug 18, 2022
Observation date: Jul 14, 2022
Submitted by: siki_utah
Region: Salt Lake County, Utah, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jul 23, 2022
Observation date: Jul 20, 2022
Submitted by: Jbeemoth
Region: Strafford County, New Hampshire, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 21, 2022
Observation date: Jul 09, 2022
Submitted by: amantedelosgatos
Region: Door County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Jul 16, 2022
Observation date: Jul 11, 2022
Submitted by: keyofpel
Region: Kennebec County, Maine, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 12, 2022
Observation date: Jun 17, 2022
Submitted by: BeaLaporte
Region: Quebec, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 03, 2022
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