Tiny - about 1/4 inch max
Large green sphinx moth caterpillar found in grassy meadow. The large, bright yellow spot the hind end.
Pacific Green Sphinx (Proserpinus lucidus) A.k.a. Bear Sphinx. Why are they called Sphinx Moths? because they often rest with their heads up--looking like an Egyptian sphinx.
Moths of Western North America by Jerry A. Powell and Paul A. Opler, 2009.
Moth Photographers Group: Proserpinus lucidus https://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7872
Butterflies and Moths of North America (includes photos of adults and caterpillars) https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Proserpinus-lucidus
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: Adults fly after sundown for a few hours.
Flight: One brood from late January to March.
Caterpillar Hosts: a variety of Onagraceae including Evening Primroses and Clarkias.
Adult Food: adults do not feed.
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.
Comments: NULL
Taxonomy Notes: Formerly in the genus Arctonotus
Alternate Scientific Names:
Arctonotus lucidus https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Proserpinus-lucidus
Link to photos of this Pacific Green Sphinx beauty as an adult moth: https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/485416-Proserpinus-lucidus
BugGuide: https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Proserpinus%20lucidus
Caterpillar anatomy diagram: https://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterfly/activities/printouts/caterpillarprintout.shtml
Caterpillars: INaturalist Project https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/california-caterpillars
Wagner's Caterpillars of Western North America "last we heard 1450 species accounts were in progress" thebals 6/6/23.
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Moth Photographers Group https://mothphotographersgroup.msstate.edu/species.php?hodges=7872&state=CA
(Be sure to limit the interface to California. The website is a little clunky but it’s better set up for moth taxonomy than BugGuide)
Geometer Moths (Geometridae family) in Monterey County: checklist with photos compiled by INat Kueda https://www.inaturalist.org/check_lists/260565-Geometridae-of-Monterey-County--CA--US?page=2
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References for Butterflies (not moths):
Butterflies of Monterey County: A comprehensive guide to finding and identifying 91 species of butterflies in Monterey County, Chris Tenney and Jan Austin, August 2023
Butterflies Through Binoculars: The West: a field guide to the butterflies of western North America, by Jeffrey Glassberg, 2001
Coming soon: Companion website to Butterflies of Monterey County: https://www.montereybutterflies.online/
Glossary of butterfly terms: https://butterfly.ucdavis.edu/resources/glossary
Butterflies of Central and Northern California: a guide to common and notable species, Jim Brock, laminated pamphlet, 2023
Butterflies & Their Favorite Flowering Plants: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park & Environs, Lynn and Gene Monroe, 2004
Southern California Butterflies http://socalbutterflies.com/index.htm
Common Butterflies of California, Text and Photographs by Bob Stewart, 1997
Kaufman Field Guide to Butterflies of North America. Brock and Kaufman, 2003