The genus Proserpinus has 7 species in the USA, and about 8 around the world. Most species confined to North America with one in Europe.
Type specimen: Sphinx (Proserpinus) oenotherae (proserpina) -- Denis and Schiffer-müller, 1775
Synonyms: N/A
General Information: These are generally small moths with some amount of green on the forewing when newly emerged. They vary considerably based on the species and have drastically different hindwings.
If you have narrowed something down to this genus, you can use this key to help you narrow down your search to species:
1: Forewings black, with a white postmedial band. The hindwings are orange. The thorax is yellow and the abdomen is black with two small white tufts on the last segment. Resembles a bumblebee… Proserpinus flavofasciata
1’: Not as above (2)
2: Forewings distinctly green (3)
2’: Forewings mostly brown, may have a greenish tint. The edges of the forewings have some scallops. There is a prominent black discal spot outlined in white. The hindwings are red. There is sometimes a band on the second to last abdominal segment. The submarginal area is often frosty looking… Proserpinus gaurae
3: There is no prominent black discal spot (4)
3’: There is a prominent black discal spot, generally surrounded by a darker region (5)
4: Forewings are almost flat green with only one band of darker coloration in the discal area. There is no discal spot. The thorax is also flat green. The hindwings are red with a black edge… Proserpinus terlooii
4’: Forewings are green with a yellowy band in the basal area and one as the submarginal band. There is no discal spot. The forewing has a small upside-down white V. The hindwings are salmony pink with a cream edge… Proserpinus lucidus
5: The forewings are green with a black discal spot and darker green patch in the discal area running down to the inner margin of the wing. The thorax is green with white flecks. The hindwings are orange with black edging… Proserpinus clarkiae
5’: Not as above (6)
6: The forewings are green with several pale bands. One in the basal area and one in the submarginal area. There is usually a darker streak in the apex of the wing. The hindwings are pink with green edging and a white anal patch. The hindwing fringe is bright white… Proserpinus vega
6’: The forewings are green with a prominent dark discal spot. There is a thick dark green band covering the discal area. The submarginal area appears frosted. The thorax is green. The hindwings are red with black edging and a black anal patch. The abdomen is dark in color with thin white bands dividing each segment… Proserpinus juanita
Species List:
Proserpinus gaurae
Proserpinus juanita
Proserpinus clarkiae
Proserpinus flavofasciata
Proserpinus vega
Proserpinus terlooii
Proserpinus lucidus
The gallery below shows photos of select species in the genus.
Type specimen: Sphinx (Proserpinus) oenotherae (proserpina) -- Denis and Schiffer-müller, 1775
Synonyms: N/A
General Information: These are generally small moths with some amount of green on the forewing when newly emerged. They vary considerably based on the species and have drastically different hindwings.
If you have narrowed something down to this genus, you can use this key to help you narrow down your search to species:
1: Forewings black, with a white postmedial band. The hindwings are orange. The thorax is yellow and the abdomen is black with two small white tufts on the last segment. Resembles a bumblebee… Proserpinus flavofasciata
1’: Not as above (2)
2: Forewings distinctly green (3)
2’: Forewings mostly brown, may have a greenish tint. The edges of the forewings have some scallops. There is a prominent black discal spot outlined in white. The hindwings are red. There is sometimes a band on the second to last abdominal segment. The submarginal area is often frosty looking… Proserpinus gaurae
3: There is no prominent black discal spot (4)
3’: There is a prominent black discal spot, generally surrounded by a darker region (5)
4: Forewings are almost flat green with only one band of darker coloration in the discal area. There is no discal spot. The thorax is also flat green. The hindwings are red with a black edge… Proserpinus terlooii
4’: Forewings are green with a yellowy band in the basal area and one as the submarginal band. There is no discal spot. The forewing has a small upside-down white V. The hindwings are salmony pink with a cream edge… Proserpinus lucidus
5: The forewings are green with a black discal spot and darker green patch in the discal area running down to the inner margin of the wing. The thorax is green with white flecks. The hindwings are orange with black edging… Proserpinus clarkiae
5’: Not as above (6)
6: The forewings are green with several pale bands. One in the basal area and one in the submarginal area. There is usually a darker streak in the apex of the wing. The hindwings are pink with green edging and a white anal patch. The hindwing fringe is bright white… Proserpinus vega
6’: The forewings are green with a prominent dark discal spot. There is a thick dark green band covering the discal area. The submarginal area appears frosted. The thorax is green. The hindwings are red with black edging and a black anal patch. The abdomen is dark in color with thin white bands dividing each segment… Proserpinus juanita
Species List:
Proserpinus gaurae
Proserpinus juanita
Proserpinus clarkiae
Proserpinus flavofasciata
Proserpinus vega
Proserpinus terlooii
Proserpinus lucidus
The gallery below shows photos of select species in the genus.
