Big poplar sphinx
Pachysphinx occidentalis (Hy. Edwards, 1875)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Two color forms exist. Upperside of wings is yellow brown in the pale form, dark gray in the dark form. Lines and bands are well-defined. Hindwing has a crimson patch covering varying amounts of the wing, and 2 dark lines which do not form a distinct triangle.
Wing Span: 5 1/8 - 5 7/8 inches (13 - 15 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs on leaves of the hosts. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate and overwinter in shallow burrows in the ground.
Flight: . Two broods in southern Arizona from May-September, one brood northward from June-August.
Caterpillar Hosts: Cottonwood and poplar (Populus) and willow (Salix).
Adult Food: Adults do not feed.
Habitat: Riparian areas and suburbs.
Range: North Dakota west to eastern Washington; south to Texas, southern California, and Baja California Norte.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 240 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 22, 2016
Submitted by: Alorithan
Region: Ada County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 07, 2020
Observation date: Jun 13, 2020
Submitted by: Mickykvm
Region: El Paso County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Jul 08, 2020
Observation date: Jul 04, 2019
Submitted by: Jacksenzig
Region: Juneau County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Jul 10, 2019
Observation date: Aug 27, 2018
Submitted by: oc951124
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Sep 01, 2018
Observation date: Jul 03, 2018
Submitted by: Nsallee01
Region: Klickitat County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jul 16, 2018
Observation date: Aug 24, 2017
Submitted by: guchames
Region: Apache County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Aug 24, 2017
Observation date: Jun 18, 2017
Submitted by: RenRacc
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Aug 05, 2017
Observation date: Jun 23, 2017
Submitted by: Cin4peace
Region: Eureka County, Nevada, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Jul 06, 2017
Observation date: Jun 19, 2009
Submitted by: ggarcia
Region: El Paso County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 30, 2017
Observation date: Sep 03, 2016
Submitted by: LaPolilla
Region: Shawano County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: BGilley
Verified date: May 29, 2017
Observation date: Mar 22, 2017
Submitted by: joanofarctic
Region: Texas, Presidio County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 23, 2017
Observation date: Mar 18, 2016
Submitted by: LBarret
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Jul 27, 2016
Observation date: Jun 29, 2016
Submitted by: mblackhorse
Region: Grant County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Jul 01, 2016
Observation date: Jun 16, 2016
Submitted by: sidawayj
Region: Saskatchewan, Canada
Verified by: Tom Middagh
Verified date: Jun 25, 2016
Observation date: Jul 31, 2014
Submitted by: GCSnelling
Region: Cochise County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jun 16, 2016
Observation date: Jun 09, 2016
Submitted by: Nikola Wright
Region: Canyon County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Jun 10, 2016
Observation date: Mar 09, 2016
Submitted by: Lianimals
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Mar 16, 2016
Observation date: Mar 09, 2016
Submitted by: Lianimals
Region: San Bernardino County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Mar 16, 2016
Observation date: Jan 07, 1964
Submitted by: Todd Stefanic
Region: Butte County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 04, 2016
Observation date: Jun 26, 2004
Submitted by: Ethan Hall
Region: Salt Lake County, Utah, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Nov 13, 2015
Observation date: Jul 05, 2015
Submitted by: Graham Monroe
Region: Sandoval County, New Mexico, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Sep 15, 2015
Observation date: Aug 08, 2015
Submitted by: amydidit
Region: Pueblo County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Aug 25, 2015
Observation date: Aug 09, 2015
Submitted by: Sethinator
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Aug 10, 2015
Observation date: Jul 16, 2015
Submitted by: Venom32
Region: Arapahoe County, Colorado, United States
Verified by: charleseharp
Verified date: Jul 31, 2015
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