Thursday, 4 May 2017

The Sphingids: Pachysphinx modesta

More species are coming out of hibernation. The pupae of the Modest or Poplar Sphinx (Pachysphinx modesta) overwintered in the fridge. Four weeks ago I took them out and placed them at average room temperature. Some spraying with water stimulates the pupae to hatch. The moths are large, with a wingspan between eight and twelve centimeter. This hawk moth is fairly common and widespread throughout a large part of northern America, from temperate Canada (British Colombia to Nova Scotia), south throughout the USA all the way to northern Florida and westward to Texas, New Mexico and Oregon. They are absent in California, Arizona and Nevada. In the north modesta has only one flight (June/July), in the south and in captivity usually two (between April and September).


Pachysphinx modesta male
Pachysphinx modesta male - Origin: Canada

Pachysphinx modesta female
Pachysphinx modesta female - Origin: Canada

Pachysphinx modesta male
Pachysphinx modesta male - Origin: Canada