Elegant sphinx
Sphinx perelegans Hy. Edwards, 1874
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Sphinginae
Identification: Forewing is dark gray with a pale gray line along the outer margin and a diffuse pale gray patch from the base to the center of the wing. Hindwing is black with white bands.
Wing Span: 3 9/16 - 4 5/16 inches (9 - 11 cm).
Life History: Fully-grown caterpillars pupate in chambers in the soil.
Flight: . Two broods from April-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Snowberries (Symphoricarpos), apple and plum (Prunus), manzanita (Arctostaphylos), and mountain mahogany (Cercocarpus betuloides).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including evening primrose and rhododendron.
Habitat: Oak woodlands and mountains.
Range: British Columbia south to southern California and Baja California Sur, east to Colorado and New Mexico.
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: Caterpillars are sometimes pests of plum and apple trees.
Comments: NULL
Verified Sightings
Displaying 1 - 24 of 104 verified sightings
Observation date: Jul 15, 2020
Submitted by: Anne Lindsay
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Nov 17, 2020
Observation date: Jul 04, 2019
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Flathead County, Montana, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 09, 2019
Observation date: Jul 25, 2019
Submitted by: Kristi DuBois
Region: Mineral County, Montana, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 19, 2019
Observation date: Jun 23, 2019
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: Chelan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 23, 2019
Observation date: Jun 05, 2019
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: Chelan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 07, 2019
Observation date: Jun 03, 2018
Submitted by: Carsonbay
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 04, 2018
Observation date: Aug 05, 2017
Submitted by: Sem
Region: British Columbia, Canada
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Aug 15, 2017
Observation date: Jun 18, 2017
Submitted by: Zach Eckert
Region: Kittitas County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers
Verified date: Jun 20, 2017
Observation date: Apr 07, 2016
Submitted by: Charis W
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Apr 13, 2016
Observation date: Apr 04, 2016
Submitted by: Inex
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Apr 13, 2016
Observation date: Aug 10, 2015
Submitted by: ezeemonee
Region: Santa Barbara County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Aug 31, 2015
Observation date: Aug 16, 2014
Submitted by: palbertleis
Region: Ventura County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Aug 18, 2014
Observation date: Aug 03, 2014
Submitted by: finatic
Region: San Diego County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Aug 14, 2014
Observation date: Jul 22, 2014
Submitted by: Mike 701
Region: Napa County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Jul 25, 2014
Observation date: Jun 29, 2014
Submitted by: jim.odonater
Region: Lake County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Jul 07, 2014
Observation date: Jul 07, 2014
Submitted by: tjb7689
Region: Salt Lake County, Utah, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Jul 07, 2014
Observation date: Jun 20, 2014
Submitted by: jim.odonater
Region: Siskiyou County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Jul 01, 2014
Observation date: Jun 20, 2014
Submitted by: Jforslund
Region: Lake County, California, United States
Verified by: Robert Martin
Verified date: Jun 21, 2014
Observation date: Aug 11, 2013
Submitted by: cmaerossi
Region: Contra Costa County, California, United States
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Aug 27, 2013
Observation date: Apr 21, 2013
Submitted by: madt67
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Apr 30, 2013
Observation date: May 23, 2012
Submitted by: sonofbert
Region: Mendocino County, California, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Jul 02, 2012
Observation date: Aug 03, 2011
Submitted by: kpaschal
Region: Klamath County, Oregon, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Sep 14, 2011
Observation date: Aug 02, 2011
Submitted by: Westy
Region: Los Angeles County, California, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Aug 22, 2011
Observation date: Jul 11, 2009
Submitted by: davidwdroppers (David Droppers)
Region: Chelan County, Washington, United States
Verified by: davidwdroppers (David Droppers)
Verified date: May 01, 2011
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