Pacific green sphinx
Proserpinus lucidus Boisduval, 1852
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Body is short and stout. Forewing upperside is green to olive green with pink and brown markings. Hindwing upperside is pale rose pink with a darker submarginal band.
Wing Span: 1 7/8 - 2 3/8 inches (4.8 - 6.1 cm).
Life History: Unlike most members of the genus, adults are nocturnal (per Paul Johnson).
Flight: December to April (per Paul Johnson).
Caterpillar Hosts: Various species of Onagraceae including the following genera: Oenothera, Clarkia, Camissonia.
Adult Food: Adults have reduced mouthparts, so it is unlikely that they feed on nectar or anything else. See Rubinoff in J. Lep. Soc. 55(2) 2001, pp. 78-9.
Habitat: Oak woodlands, and grasslands.
Range: Washington, Idaho, Oregon, and California.
Conservation: Not usually required. Development and invasion of habitat by exotic weeds has probably reduced the number of populations.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Taxonomy Notes: Formerly in the genus Arctonotus. For more information about this species, see Rubinoff, Osborne, and Kawahara in J. Lep. Soc. 63(4) 2009, pp. 233-235..
Alternate Scientific Names:
Arctonotus lucidus
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 89 verified sightings
Observation date: Mar 11, 2023
Submitted by: Birder2
Region: Sherman County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Mar 12, 2023
Observation date: Dec 25, 2021
Submitted by: Dwear@me.com
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Feb 27, 2022
Observation date: Jan 19, 2022
Submitted by: toadallyrad92
Region: Madera County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Feb 27, 2022
Observation date: Feb 09, 2022
Submitted by: Birder2
Region: Sherman County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Feb 09, 2022
Observation date: Dec 08, 2021
Submitted by: kjburkhart
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Dec 21, 2021
Observation date: Jan 09, 2019
Submitted by: JaimeB
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: ishaan2009
Verified date: Oct 31, 2021
Observation date: Jan 26, 2020
Submitted by: Kymberlee
Region: Stanislaus County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Oct 28, 2021
Observation date: Jan 29, 2020
Submitted by: Lmccurry418
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Oct 28, 2021
Observation date: Jan 31, 2021
Submitted by: Robert Gorman
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: mcduck
Verified date: Oct 27, 2021
Observation date: Feb 02, 2020
Submitted by: Bdonohue
Region: Modoc County, California, United States
Verified by: ishaan2009
Verified date: Oct 15, 2021
Observation date: Jan 14, 2021
Submitted by: Rphanks
Region: Jackson County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 23, 2021
Observation date: Mar 28, 2019
Submitted by: Kmhaysom
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Mar 31, 2019
Observation date: Mar 12, 2018
Submitted by: LaurieM
Region: Latah County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Mar 20, 2018
Observation date: Feb 07, 2018
Submitted by: Mothsearcher
Region: Klickitat County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Feb 12, 2018
Observation date: Feb 07, 2018
Submitted by: carolinehrrmnn
Region: Elmore County, Idaho, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Feb 08, 2018
Observation date: Mar 16, 2017
Submitted by: Diggerdawn22
Region: Spokane County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Oct 12, 2017
Observation date: May 01, 2016
Submitted by: davidwdroppers
Region: Yakima County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jan 30, 2017
Observation date: Feb 08, 2015
Submitted by: windywasco
Region: Sherman County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Feb 09, 2015
Observation date: Jan 08, 2015
Submitted by: Tina Peterson
Region: Santa Clara County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Jan 08, 2015
Observation date: Mar 09, 2014
Submitted by: Varn
Region: Wasco County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Mar 25, 2014
Observation date: Feb 14, 2012
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Dec 23, 2013
Observation date: Dec 31, 2011
Submitted by: Twitcherette
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Dec 16, 2013
Observation date: Mar 29, 2013
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Sep 26, 2013
Observation date: Jan 31, 2013
Submitted by: Josiah Gilbert
Region: San Luis Obispo County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Sep 26, 2013
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