Macromoths of Northwest Forests and Woodlands
Proserpinus clarkiae [Sphingidae]
Wingspan 3.8 cm. Forewing is pale green with a dark green median band; hindwing is orange with a black marginal border. This sphingid is widely distributed in dry forests at lower elevations in western North America. Moths fly during the day in spring. Caterpillars feed on Onagraceae, particularly on the foliage of Clarkia.
Similar species: Proserpinus flavofasciata is a bumblebee mimic, forewing is black with a white postmedian band, hindwing yellow with black basal and marginal borders, head and thorax yellow, abdomen black, uncommon but widely distributed in the Cascades and Rocky Mountains, moths fly during the day in early spring, caterpillars feed on foliage of fireweed (Epilobium); Arctonotus lucidus (Sphingidae) forewing is green with purple basal and postmedian bands, hindwing pink with a dark red submarginal band, widely distributed in dry forests of Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and California, moths fly in late winter and early spring, caterpillars feed on the foliage of evening primrose (Oenothera).
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