Poecila sphinx
Sphinx poecila Stephens, 1828
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Fringes are checkered black and white on the forewing, and are almost pure white on the hindwing. Forewing is dark gray with diffuse black and gray wavy lines, a series of black dashes ending at the wing tip, and a white cell spot. Hindwing is brownish gray with a wide black border and a black median line.
Wing Span: 2 11/16 - 3 3/4 inches (6.8 - 9.5 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars pupate in burrows in soft soil.
Flight: . One brood from May-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Apple (Malus), sweetfern (Myrica), Carolina rose (Rosa carolina), blueberry and huckleberry (Vaccinium), white spruce (Picea glauca), American larch (Larix laricina), and alder (Alnus).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including dogbane (Apocynum), honeysuckle (Lonicera), lilac (Syringa), evening primrose (Onagraceae), bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis), and phlox (Phlox).
Habitat: Coastal barrens, bogs, and deciduous forests.
Range: Newfoundland and Maine south to Pennsylvania; west to Michigan, northeastern Illinois, and Wisconsin.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G4 - Apparently secure globally, though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 117 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 02, 2018
Submitted by: kathyjackm
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jul 04, 2018
Observation date: Jun 16, 2018
Submitted by: Ideaphore
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jun 19, 2018
Observation date: Aug 19, 2017
Submitted by: smalickwahls
Region: St. Louis County, Minnesota, United States
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Aug 28, 2017
Observation date: Jun 13, 2017
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 20, 2017
Observation date: Jul 12, 2017
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jul 18, 2017
Observation date: Jun 12, 2017
Submitted by: Joe Bartok
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 21, 2017
Observation date: Jun 03, 2017
Submitted by: mikeakresh
Region: Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jun 19, 2017
Observation date: Jun 09, 2014
Submitted by: melon989
Region: Manistee County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: elsner
Verified date: Mar 16, 2017
Observation date: Jun 21, 2015
Submitted by: Jody
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: Jim Edsall
Verified date: Dec 09, 2015
Observation date: Jul 10, 2015
Submitted by: treichard
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Nov 04, 2015
Observation date: Aug 10, 2014
Submitted by: Dogsledding101
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: TeaKH
Verified date: Nov 04, 2015
Observation date: Jun 09, 2013
Submitted by: reutere
Region: Delaware County, New York, United States
Verified by: reutere
Verified date: Feb 10, 2015
Observation date: May 27, 2014
Submitted by: wayne13114
Region: Oswego County, New York, United States
Verified by: wayne13114
Verified date: Feb 02, 2015
Observation date: Jul 24, 2014
Submitted by: jmihuc
Region: Franklin County, New York, United States
Verified by: Sue Gregoire
Verified date: Jan 16, 2015
Observation date: Jun 29, 2014
Submitted by: jollygoodyellow
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: anthony.thomas
Verified date: Jun 29, 2014
Observation date: Jun 17, 2014
Submitted by: lyshmcg
Region: New Brunswick, Canada
Verified by: anthony.thomas
Verified date: Jun 21, 2014
Observation date: Aug 09, 2013
Submitted by: dapollard56
Region: Iosco County, Michigan, United States
Verified by: elsner
Verified date: Aug 27, 2013
Observation date: Jun 26, 2013
Submitted by: Brett Budach
Region: Ontario, Canada
Verified by: Jim Edsall
Verified date: Aug 21, 2013
Observation date: Jul 08, 2013
Submitted by: Scotiaspinner
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: anthony.thomas
Verified date: Jul 16, 2013
Observation date: Jun 02, 2013
Submitted by: Scotiaspinner
Region: Nova Scotia, Canada
Verified by: anthony.thomas
Verified date: Jun 03, 2013
Observation date: Jun 27, 2003
Submitted by: curtis.lehman (Paul Dennehy)
Region: Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Feb 08, 2013
Observation date: May 28, 2012
Submitted by: Lula Field
Region: Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Feb 04, 2013
Observation date: Jun 30, 2011
Submitted by: Lula Field
Region: Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Jan 24, 2013
Observation date: Jun 18, 2012
Submitted by: A_Tupper
Region: Cumberland County, Maine, United States
Verified by: anthony.thomas
Verified date: Jun 25, 2012
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