Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

  Sighting 746416

Obscure sphinx
Erinnyis obscura

Observation date: October 22, 2012
Submitted by: stanggirl70
Specimen type: Photograph
Observation notes: I found this very friendly Sphinginae the evening of Oct. 22 in Bethany, Okla., when it landed on my head! I was standing on a well-lighted porch that attracts many moths. I reached up to find out what was visiting me and it climbed onto my hand, staying there for at least ten minutes. I had the chance to make a short video of it, which I can provide at your request. I didn't send it unsolicited, as the file is quite large. The moth's body is 1.75 inches to 2 inches long. Its hindwings had a reddish or pinkish area near where they attached to the body (I observed this only when the moth was fluttering its wings or flying). I can't identify this one, since it seems close to several. I've narrowed it down to Manduca sexta, Ceratomia hageni, Ceratomia undulosa, Dolba hyloeus, or Manduca quinquemaculata, though several of these have no red or pink that I can tell.
Status: Resident
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: November 25, 2012
Coordinator notes: Great find and description! Thank you.
Checklist region(s): United States, Oklahoma, Oklahoma County