Species Details
Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameOne-eyed Sphinx, Eyed Hawk-moth
SeasonalityAdults have been collected in Alberta from late April to mid-August, an unusually long flight period
IdentificationA large (6.2-9.0 cm wingspan) heavy-bodied sphinx moth. Forewings are pale grey (occasionally tan) with a rather complex pattern of darker grey and black banding. The median and terminal areas in particular are dark. Outer margin of the forewing is scalloped, with a "tooth" at the anal angle. The hindwings are bright rose-pink, shading into tan toward the margin. There is a large black spot in the anal angle containing a bright blue circle, often incomplete and sometimes with a second blue crescent above. Thorax is black, contrasting sharply with the broad pale grey tegulae. The very similar S. jamaicensis has two blue bars instead of a blue circle in the hindwing spot, and the pink is sharply divided from the tan outer part of the hindwing. Pectinations on the male antennae are also much shorter in cerisyi than in jamaicensis.
Scientific Name
Smerinthus cerisyi
Common Name
One-eyed Sphinx, Eyed Hawk-moth
Seasonality
Adults have been collected in Alberta from late April to mid-August, an unusually long flight period
Identification
A large (6.2-9.0 cm wingspan) heavy-bodied sphinx moth. Forewings are pale grey (occasionally tan) with a rather complex pattern of darker grey and black banding. The median and terminal areas in particular are…
A large (6.2-9.0 cm wingspan) heavy-bodied sphinx moth. Forewings are pale grey (occasionally tan) with a rather complex pattern of darker grey and black banding. The median and terminal areas in particular are dark. Outer margin of the forewing is scalloped, with a "tooth" at the anal angle. The hindwings are bright rose-pink, shading into tan toward the margin. There is a large black spot in the anal angle containing a bright blue circle, often incomplete and sometimes with a second blue crescent above. Thorax is black, contrasting sharply with the broad pale grey tegulae. The very similar S. jamaicensis has two blue bars instead of a blue circle in the hindwing spot, and the pink is sharply divided from the tan outer part of the hindwing. Pectinations on the male antennae are also much shorter in cerisyi than in jamaicensis.
Life History
One of the most common Alberta sphinx moths. The adults are nocturnal and come to lights. Larvae are solitary defoliators. The long flight period may indicate that there is more than one generation per year in Alberta.
Conservation
Common.
Diet Info
In Alberta, willow (Salix); elsewhere willows, poplars (Populus), pear and plum (Prunus), and snowberry (Symphoricarpos). Aspen poplar and willows appear to be the major hosts.
Range
Newfoundland west to Yukon and Vancouver Island, south to northern Mexico, including the Baja. A common moth, found in wooded or shrubby areas throughout Alberta.
Citation
Page Citation for Smerinthus cerisyi
Page Citation
"Species Details - Smerinthus cerisyi, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-543. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
References
Author
Handfield, L.
Title
Le guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
536
Author
Smith, Michael J.
Title
Moths of Western North America. Distribution of Sphingidae of western North America, revised edition.
Publication Date
1995
Volume
2
Author
McGugan, B. M.
Title
Papilionidae - Arctiidae
Publication Date
1958
Series Title
Forest Lepidoptera of Canada
Volume
1
Pages
76
Author
Hodges, R. W.
Title
Sphingoidea : hawkmoths
Publication Date
1971
Specimen Information
There are 185 specimens of this Species.
BIRD2029 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-13
BIRD2030 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-14
BIRD2031 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-22
BIRD2032 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-21
BIRD2033 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-23
BIRD2034 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-23
BIRD2035 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Erskine
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-24
BIRD2036 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Crowsnest Pass, Island Lake
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-29
BIRD2037 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-05-31
BIRD2038 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-06-01
BIRD2039 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-06-06
BIRD2040 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Dry Island Buffalo Jump Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2001-06-20
BIRD2041 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Buffalo Lake Provincial Recreation Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-05-29
BIRD2042 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-06-03
BIRD2043 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Knife Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-06-12
BIRD2044 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Stettler
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-06-13
BIRD2045 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, J.J. Collett Natural Area
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-06-21
BIRD2046 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Bentley
Collected ByPotter, J.
Date Collected2002-06-30
BIRD2047 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Red Deer
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2002-07-10
BIRD2048 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Arrowwood
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2003-06-27
BIRD5888 - Smerinthus cerisyi
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Rochon Sands Provincial Park
Collected ByBird, C. D.
Date Collected2004-05-19