The genus Pachysphinx has 2 species in the USA. This genus isn’t found outside of North America.
Type specimen: Smerinthus (Pachysphinx) modesta - Harris, 1839
Synonyms: N/A
General Information: These are generally medium-large moths with brown/gray forewings. The hindwings are red with bluish maculation.
If you have narrowed something down to this genus, you can use this key to help you narrow down your search to species:
1: The forewing is gray and distinctly bicolored. The hindwing is red with a distinctive blue anal angle… Pachysphinx modesta
1’: The forewing is yellow-gray and bicolored. There is usually a gray area in the basal part of the forewing. The hindwing is red with a blue anal angle separated by a thin black line, making it appear split… Pachysphinx occidentalis
Species List:
Pachysphinx modesta
Pachysphinx occidentalis
The gallery below shows photos of select species in the genus.
Type specimen: Smerinthus (Pachysphinx) modesta - Harris, 1839
Synonyms: N/A
General Information: These are generally medium-large moths with brown/gray forewings. The hindwings are red with bluish maculation.
If you have narrowed something down to this genus, you can use this key to help you narrow down your search to species:
1: The forewing is gray and distinctly bicolored. The hindwing is red with a distinctive blue anal angle… Pachysphinx modesta
1’: The forewing is yellow-gray and bicolored. There is usually a gray area in the basal part of the forewing. The hindwing is red with a blue anal angle separated by a thin black line, making it appear split… Pachysphinx occidentalis
Species List:
Pachysphinx modesta
Pachysphinx occidentalis
The gallery below shows photos of select species in the genus.
