Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Sphinx chersis [Sphingidae]
Wingspan 8.8 cm. Forewing is pale gray with narrow black streaks; hindwing is pale gray with black median and submarginal bands; thorax is gray with two narrow black lines; abdomen with black and pale gray lateral spots. This sphingid is common and widely distributed in western North America. Moths fly in spring and early summer. Caterpillars are generalist feeders on the foliage of flowering trees and shrubs, such as cherry (Prunus), aspen (Populus), and ash (Fraxinus).
Similar species: Sphinx vashti forewing with a black postmedian line and a black basal patch; Sphinx sequoiae is smaller, hindwing is brown without black bands.
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