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Species Details
Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum Read more about this collection »
Common NameGalium Sphinx
SeasonalityAdults are on the wing from June through early August.
IdentificationA large (6.5-9.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged and heavy-bodied moth. The forewing is black, with a wide cream-yellow stripe running the length of it and a wide, blue-grey terminal band, all rather sharply separated. The hindwing is black with a wide rose-pink median band and a narrower terminal one, and with a white spot in the anal angle. The similar H. euphorbiae has a mainly light brown forewing freckled with dark spots, and with the black costa replaced by two dark brown spots. H. lineata has the forewing veins outlined in white scales.
Scientific Name
Hyles gallii
Common Name
Galium Sphinx
Habitat
Open areas, including clearings, meadows, forest edges and urban gardens, etc.
Seasonality
Adults are on the wing from June through early August.
Identification
A large (6.5-9.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged and heavy-bodied moth. The forewing is black, with a wide cream-yellow stripe running the length of it and a wide, blue-grey terminal band, all rather sharply separated. …
A large (6.5-9.0 cm. wingspan) long-winged and heavy-bodied moth. The forewing is black, with a wide cream-yellow stripe running the length of it and a wide, blue-grey terminal band, all rather sharply separated. The hindwing is black with a wide rose-pink median band and a narrower terminal one, and with a white spot in the anal angle. The similar H. euphorbiae has a mainly light brown forewing freckled with dark spots, and with the black costa replaced by two dark brown spots. H. lineata has the forewing veins outlined in white scales.
Life History
This beautiful moth is the most common and widespread member of the genus in Alberta. It occurs much further north than most of our sphinx moths. It may on occasion be found nectaring at flowers in urban and other…
This beautiful moth is the most common and widespread member of the genus in Alberta. It occurs much further north than most of our sphinx moths. It may on occasion be found nectaring at flowers in urban and other gardens in the evening. Like other members of the family, it has a very rapid wingbeat, and can easily be mistaken for a hummingbird. There is one generation per year.
Conservation
No concerns.
Diet Info
No Alberta data; elsewhere Fireweed (Epilobium), Bedstraw (Gallium) and other herbs.
Citation
Page Citation for Hyles gallii
Page Citation
"Species Details - Hyles gallii, University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search-test.museums.ualberta.ca/g/2-540/9-1952. Accessed 01 Nov. 2025.
References
Author
Covell, C. V., Jr.
Title
A field guide to the moths of eastern North America.
Publication Date
1984
Pages
496
Author
Lafontaine, J. Donald and D. M. Wood
Title
Insects of the Yukon.
Publication Date
1997
Pages
723-785
Author
Handfield, L.
Title
Le guide des papillons du Quebec.
Publication Date
1999
Pages
536
Author
Hodges, R. W.
Title
Sphingoidea : hawkmoths
Publication Date
1971
Specimen Information
There are 74 specimens of this Species.
UASM9089 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Ponoka
Date Collected1959-06-11
UASM9097 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Beaverlodge
Collected ByMacauley, B.
Date Collected1956-07-17
UASM9095 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
UASM9109 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1924-06-05
UASM9125 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Calgary
Date Collected1924-06-05
UASM9094 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Craigmyle
Date Collected1926-05-27
UASM9103 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Craigmyle
Date Collected1926-05-25
UASM9120 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Craigmyle
Date Collected1926-05-27
UASM9124 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Craigmyle
Date Collected1926-05-27
UASM9114 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Date Collected1984-07-13
UASM9121 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBelicek, Joseph
Date Collected1972-07-20
UASM9090 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1945-07-24
UASM9091 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1944-06-09
UASM9093 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1917-06-26
UASM9098 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1944-06-30
UASM9099 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1939-07-09
UASM9102 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1944-06-23
UASM9105 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Edmonton
Collected ByMackie, Donald
Date Collected1917-06-14
UASM9100 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Mulhurst
Collected ByCollett, E. M.
UASM9092 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1918-07-19
UASM9101 - Hyles gallii
University of Alberta E.H. Strickland Entomological Museum
Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Nordegg
Collected ByBowman, K.
Date Collected1922-06-08