Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Yellow-banded sphinx
Proserpinus flavofasciata (Walker, 1856)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Forewing upperside is medium to dark brown with a faint to distinct white median band. Hindwing upperside is dark brown with a wide orange median band which may not reach the inner margin.
Wing Span: 1 5/8 - 2 inches (4.2 - 5.1 cm).
Life History: Adults fly during the day.
Flight: . One brood from April-June.
Caterpillar Hosts: Willow weed (Epilobium) and possibly thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including dandelion and cherry.
Habitat: Meadows in coniferous forests.
Range: Alaska south through British Columbia to Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado; British Columbia east across southern Canada to Nova Scotia and Maine.
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