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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Sphingidae 890148 – 7828   Pachysphinx modesta (Harris, 1839)              Big Poplar Sphinx

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Synonymy: modesta (Harris, 1839) (Smerinthus) - MONA 1983: 7828 borealis Clark, 1929 (Pachysphinx) cablei (Reizenstein, 1881) (Smerinthus) populicola (Boisduval, [1875]) (Smerinthus) princeps (Walker, 1856) (Smerinthus) Host Plants: Host familiy: Betulaceae Rosaceae Salicaceae.  Host genera: Betula Malus Populus Salix.  Notes: leaves (Wagner 2005).  (Shropshire & Tallamy 2025 [accessed 6xii2025]) Similar  : Species Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)

References (Caution: DNA barcoding at BOLD provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; some BOLD specimens shown may not be sequenced.)

Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Identifications often erroneous; DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness, not proof of identification; many specimens not sequenced. Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history) Hodges, R. W., 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 21:p. 90; pl. 8.5, 7. order or free PDF Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 39.2m; p. 242. Book Review and ordering Shropshire, K.J. & D.W. Tallamy, 2025. Lepidoptera of North America, north of Mexico: an annotated list containing geographic ranges and host-plant records. ZooKeys, 1261: 101-113; Suppl. 1. (PDF or read online) Species Page at Bill Oehlke's moth website - Pachysphinx modesta Species Page at BugGuide.Net Species Page at E. H. Strickland Museum Species Page at Mass Moths Species Page at Pacific Northwest Moths Species Page at iNaturalist Tuttle, J. P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 126; pl. 11.4.

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