Clark's day sphinx moth - Proserpinus clarkiae
(click to enlarge)
Clark's day sphinx moth (Proserpinus clarkiae) caterpillars are adapted to rely on host plants in the genus Clarkia, such as elkhorn clarkia, in the evening primrose family. Adult moths tank up on nectar from flowers and are not particularly common.
This moth is plump but not huge overall, having a wingspan around 1-1/2 inch. The dorsal forwings are patterned green and underwings are orange with a black border.
Clark's day sphinx moth is distributed from British Columbia and Washington State south through California and into Mexico and east to Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah.
Clark's day sphinx moth showing wing pattern
visiting Modoc hawksbeard flowers near Reecer Creek, June
