Common NameVashti SphinxSeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from early May to late August.IdentificationThe smallest of the "grey" Alberta sphinx, but nevertheless a large
(6.5-10.0 cm wingspan), narrow-winged heavy-bodied moth. The forewings are dull grey with four short black horizontal streaks, a bent apical streak and a thin prominent black subterminal line. The lower half of the forewing base is darker grey and contrasts with the costa, which is much paler on the basal half. Hindwings are white with a narrow black median band and a broad black terminal band with a narrow grey outer edge. The fringe of both wings is dark grey. The thorax is variable, black to pale grey, and there are prominent black and white spots along the sides of the abdomen. S. chersis is similar but larger and has a much less contrasting pattern, especially on the hindwings. Old Alberta records of Sphinx mordecai (Bowman, 1951) refer to vashti.
Scientific NameSphinx vashtiCommon Name
Vashti Sphinx
Habitat
Open woodland, shrubby areas, edges, clearings etc.
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from early May to late August.
Identification
The smallest of the "grey" Alberta sphinx, but nevertheless a large
(6.5-10.0 cm wingspan), narrow-winged heavy-bodied moth. The forewings are dull grey with four short black horizontal streaks, a bent apical streak…
The smallest of the "grey" Alberta sphinx, but nevertheless a large
(6.5-10.0 cm wingspan), narrow-winged heavy-bodied moth. The forewings are dull grey with four short black horizontal streaks, a bent apical streak and a thin prominent black subterminal line. The lower half of the forewing base is darker grey and contrasts with the costa, which is much paler on the basal half. Hindwings are white with a narrow black median band and a broad black terminal band with a narrow grey outer edge. The fringe of both wings is dark grey. The thorax is variable, black to pale grey, and there are prominent black and white spots along the sides of the abdomen. S. chersis is similar but larger and has a much less contrasting pattern, especially on the hindwings. Old Alberta records of Sphinx mordecai (Bowman, 1951) refer to vashti.
Life History
The Vashti sphinx is nocturnal and comes to light. Larvae are solitary defoliators and overwinter as pupae. They have a rather extended flight period in Alberta and the possibility of more than one brood per season…
The Vashti sphinx is nocturnal and comes to light. Larvae are solitary defoliators and overwinter as pupae. They have a rather extended flight period in Alberta and the possibility of more than one brood per season should be investigated.
Conservation
A common widespread moth; no concerns.
Diet Info
No Alberta data: elsewhere snowberry (Symphoricarpos sp.) is reported to be the larval host.
Range
West to Vancouver Island, south to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. In Alberta, vashti is common throughout the Grasslands and Aspen Parklands regions, north into the settled areas of the southern…
West to Vancouver Island, south to southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. In Alberta, vashti is common throughout the Grasslands and Aspen Parklands regions, north into the settled areas of the southern Boreal forest to at least Barrhead, as well as in the Peace River district. They have also been collected in the dryer open areas of the foothills and low elevations in the mountains, from about Calgary, south.
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Citation
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Page Citation for Sphinx vashti
Page Citation
"Species Details - Sphinx vashti, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-1120. Accessed 08 Oct. 2024.
References
AuthorBowman, K.
TitleAn annotated list of the Lepidoptera of Alberta.
Publication Date1951
Series TitleCanadian Journal of Zoology
Volume29
Pages121-165
AuthorHandfield, L.
TitleLe guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date1999
Pages536
AuthorSmith, Michael J.
TitleMoths of Western North America. Distribution of Sphingidae of western North America, revised edition.
Publication Date1995
Volume2
AuthorHodges, R. W.
TitleSphingoidea : hawkmoths
Publication Date1971
Specimen Information
There are 151 specimens of this Species.
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151 results plotted on map in 80 markers. Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.