Moths of North Dakota

Sphingidae: Sphinginae: Sphingini


Sphinx chersis (Hübner 1823)

Common name: Great ash sphinx.

Hodges #: 7802.

Identification: Rfw 40.2 mm, fws gray with long apical dash and black streaks, fringe alternating patches of dark and light scales, hw apices pointed, tegulae unmarked gray, ventral abdomen grayish white.

Similar species: 7803, 7807-- see key.

Distribution: southern Canada and United States.

Hosts: Larvae feed on Fraxinus– ash, and Syringa– lilac.  Adult at tubular flowers, pinks, petunias, and willow-herb, proboscis is longer than moth's body.
 

ND, Slope Co., Marmarth.  29- VII- 1999. Hg/UV light., coll. G. Fauske.

 

 

  Moth county records  


             

Thorax of S. chersis (left) and S. canadensis (right). 
Note bicolored tegulae of S. canadensis.

 

  
 

 

 


Last updated: 01/23/07

Gerald M. Fauske
Research Specialist
NDSU
202 Hultz Hall
Fargo, ND 58105
E-Mail: Gerald.Fauske@ndsu.nodak.edu

 
Published by the Department of Entomology 


Prospective students may schedule a visit by calling 1-800-488-NDSU.