Carolina Sphinx Moth

What: Pachysphinx occidentalis

Sex: Unknown

City: Patagonia, Arizona

County: Santa Cruz County

How: Attracted to 160W Mercury Vapor & 160 W Blacklight Fluroresent lights

When: July 2003

Who: Robert J. Nuelle, III.

Comments: This was a real moth target for the Arizona Trip. The Big Poplar Sphinx is a huge Sphingid and one that does not appear to be very common in our area of Texas. We found our first one on the first night at Pena Blanca, hiding just outside of the lights, on the side of a creek bed. Many others came to the lights or were captured at the Pilot Gas Station on SR 19 and Ruby Road (the Pena Blanca Exit).A beautiful moth with very subtle coloration. This moth occurs in both light and dark phases. This is a light phase specimen.