Lintneria separatus (Taxonomy)
Synonymized with Sphinx lugens by Smith, 1888, Trans. Amer. ent. Soc.15: 191. Reinstated (as ÔÇíseparata) as a species by Kirby, 1892, Synonymic Cat. Lepid. Heterocera1: 691. Transferred to Lintneria by Tuttle, 2007, The Hawkmoths of North America: 97.
Relatively large (fwl 47-55 mm,) with ground colour dark grey, sometimes confused with Lintneria eremitoides, but more similar to Lintneria istar, Lintneria geminus and Lintneria lugens. Recognisable by the collar being conspicuously marked with a yellow marginal spot on each side, these spots being vestigial or absent in Lintneria geminus and Lintneria lugens. Forewing upperside with prominent; transverse wavy lines; lacking the pale area with dark distal band that runs from the base to outer margin behind the apex in Lintneria istar. Antennae of male very stout. Gnathos broader than in Lintneria geminus, weakly sinuate.Harpe similarly shaped, but much shorter than in Lintneria geminus, more curved dorsad, the dorsal edge sharply dentate.Aedeagus with rounded apical process a little more prominent than in Lintneria geminus and Lintneria eremitoides, more similar to Lintneria eremitus, the tooth a little more proximal than in Lintneria geminus and Lintneria eremitoides. Ostial plate very similar to that in Lintneria geminus, but the sides of the distal part less elevated, the cone carrying the ostium more evenly rounded, more smooth, and without lateral grooves.