SPHINX MOTHS GROUP #3: wALNUT, Abbott's, LETTERED, ASH, AND lAUREL sphinx
Walnut Sphinx moth, attracted with UV lights, July 19, 2016. This species is rather small for a sphinx moth.
Lettered Sphinx moth. This species flies earlier in the year than most sphinx moths. I have found Lettered Sphinx moths in April, May, and early June.
Laurel Sphinx, also known as the Fawn Sphinx. Attracted with UV lights on July 2, 2019. Caterpillars feed on ash, lilac, and a few other related plants.
Ash Sphinx, attracted to UV light on June 14, 2016. The dark vertical streaks are a distinctive feature. This is my only sighting of the species.
Lettered Sphinx moth, hanging on the cover of my UV light. Lettered Sphinx moths usually hold their abdomen curved upward.
A mated pair of Walnut Sphinx moths, photographed at Spring Lakes Park in Bellbrook.
Laurel Sphinx, attracted with UV lights on August 16, 2014. I have only two sightings of this species (the two individuals shown on this page).
Lettered Sphinx moth, photographed in Hocking Hills (eastern Ohio).
Another Walnut Sphinx. Several of these moths have visited my UV lights.
This Abbott's Sphinx is a very unusual-looking moth. The abdomen looks too short for the wings, but that is normal for this species.
Abbott's Sphinx moth (same individual as above). This is the only one I have ever seen. It came to my moth lights on May 6, 2023.
I find Walnut Sphinx moths from May through July.