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 49 - 72 of 767 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 01, 2022
Submitted by: Donaldston
Region: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 02, 2022
Observation date: Jun 21, 2022
Submitted by: Grapes102938
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 27, 2022
Observation date: Jun 18, 2022
Submitted by: dawittrock2231
Region: Wood County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Jun 22, 2022
Observation date: Jun 18, 2022
Submitted by: Jessieouimet
Region: Quebec, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jun 19, 2022
Observation date: May 22, 2022
Submitted by: Jim Lowe
Region: Tompkins County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: May 24, 2022
Observation date: Jul 13, 2021
Submitted by: Bob Saunders
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Mar 22, 2022
Observation date: Jun 04, 2021
Submitted by: Bob Saunders
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Mar 22, 2022
Observation date: Aug 12, 2019
Submitted by: DANIEL L POLLOCK
Region: Iron County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 25, 2022
Observation date: Aug 15, 2017
Submitted by: Mothmother
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 10, 2022
Observation date: Jul 17, 2021
Submitted by: Scotiaspinner
Region: New Brunswick, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Feb 05, 2022
Observation date: Sep 12, 2012
Submitted by: usbl789
Region: Alberta, Canada
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jan 17, 2022
Observation date: Aug 13, 2017
Submitted by: jollygoodyellow
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 07, 2022
Observation date: Aug 05, 2013
Submitted by: Ideaphore
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 07, 2022
Observation date: Aug 05, 2021
Submitted by: crjenkins
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 13, 2021
Observation date: Aug 09, 2021
Submitted by: CKopka
Region: Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Aug 11, 2021
Observation date: Aug 02, 2021
Submitted by: hydapse
Region: Carbon County, Montana, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 09, 2021
Observation date: Jul 21, 2021
Submitted by: Sass Bergen
Region: New Brunswick, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 26, 2021
Observation date: Jul 03, 2021
Submitted by: dakonz
Region: Wadena County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Jul 19, 2021
Observation date: Jul 15, 2021
Submitted by: jvkopple2
Region: Kalkaska County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Jul 15, 2021
Observation date: Jul 11, 2021
Submitted by: momtodem
Region: Leelanau County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Jul 12, 2021
Observation date: Jul 06, 2021
Submitted by: Karlyn malcolm
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 07, 2021
Observation date: Jul 06, 2021
Submitted by: VUELC Strathclair
Region: Manitoba, Canada
Verified by: Mark Wheeler
Verified date: Jul 06, 2021
Observation date: Jul 06, 2021
Submitted by: chr1stymae
Region: Portage County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Jul 06, 2021
Observation date: Jun 30, 2021
Submitted by: crjenkins
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 04, 2021
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