Butterflies, Moths, Dragonflies & Damselflies of Dayton, Ohio

White-Lined Sphinx Moth

Not all moths are nocturnal. This White-lined Sphinx Moth is one of several day-flying moths. This individual is nectaring at a thistle blossom with his long proboscis. 

White-lined Sphinx Moth, with proboscis curled up in flight. 

This is a close-up of a White-lined Sphinx Moth at rest. The pink hindwings are usually not visible when the moth is at rest. Photographed on July 15, 2017, at Koogler Reserve in Beavercreek.  

This White-lined Sphinx Moth showed up at my moth lights on October 9, 2021. I have found a few of these moths at my lights from May through October. 

White-lined Sphinx moths are migratory, and their presence in our area is sporadic. 2013 was a good year for them locally. I was able to photograph several White-lined Sphinx Moths in September 2013. I have seen a handful of individuals in the years since then.