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Photo#1110392
Sphinx moth - Sphinx

Sphinx moth - Sphinx
Santa Fe, Santa Fe County, New Mexico, USA
July 23, 2015
Saw this striking sphinx resting at the base of a wall while walking by. I stopped and grabbed a photo, knowing it was a perfect opportunity to get it identified.

Just out of curiosity, what's with those tan patches on the thorax? Are they bald spots or something else?

Moved
Moved from Moths.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

Looks like Sphinx chersis to
Looks like Sphinx chersis to me, though it could also be S. asellus. The tan patches on the thorax are indeed bald spots, where the hairs have rubbed off; not too uncommon among sphingids.

 
I see
So it's a toss-up between the two, huh? Maybe someone else will come along and provide a second opinion.

Thanks for confirming my hunch, by the way. I figured it was the most reasonable explanation.

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