Two VERY LARGE amorous moths on my fence. - Pachysphinx occidentalis

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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths (Bombycoidea) » Sphinx Moths (Sphingidae) » Smerinthinae » Smerinthini » Pachysphinx » Western Poplar Sphinx - Hodges#7829 (Pachysphinx occidentalis)

Photo#662286

Copyright © 2012 surfwid

Two VERY LARGE amorous moths on my fence. - Pachysphinx occidentalis -

Prescott, AZ, USA, Yavapai County, Arizona, USA
June 22, 2012
Size: 4" NOT flying

These two "love birds" were spotted on my fence yesterday. They remained in place for the entire day, and were gone this morning. They were QUITE large, and had never before been seen by any of my friends. Someone suggested they might be "death mask" moths, but I think they are only in Asia/Europe. I'm hoping to be able to upload two pictures, one of the two moths together and another of just the "death mask" on one of their heads. I'll be very interested to find out what these creatures are! These two "love birds" were spotted on my fence yesterday. They remained in place for the entire day, and were gone this morning. They were QUITE large, and had never before been seen by any of my friends. Someone suggested they might be "death mask" moths, but I think they are only in Asia/Europe. I'm hoping to be able to upload two pictures, one of the two moths together and another of just the "death mask" on one of their heads. I'll be very interested to find out what these creatures are!

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Contributed by surfwid on 23 June, 2012 - 1:42pm
Last updated 24 June, 2012 - 6:20pm

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

Welcome to Bug Guide! Now that you've found us, hope to more in the future. Hope you don't mind, but I moved your comments to this image, as the other adds nothing to ID. The "death mask" is visible in this photo.
Robert

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 24 June, 2012 - 6:20pm

Quick Reply

Thanks so much for getting back to me so quickly regarding the Sphinx moths on my backyard fence. I had the picture up on facebook, and no one could identify it. I see from your information that it's very common in AZ. The pupae feed on cottonwood trees, and I have a least a dozen around my property. I wonder why I've never seen these beauties before?

… surfwid, 24 June, 2012 - 7:04pm

Looks like Pachysphinx occidentalis

Images here.

… cwmelton, 23 June, 2012 - 2:05pm

Sexually Dimorphic?

CW,
The guide page does not mention as being sexually dimorphic. I'm not familiar with this western species, are they dimorphic or is one just worn? Thanks
Robert

… Robert Lord Zimlich, 24 June, 2012 - 6:40pm

Not even worn...

just highly variable individuals.
-h

… H. Trudell, 27 March, 2017 - 10:29am

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