Numbers
one of 2 species in this genus in North America listed at
All-Leps
the only
Callionima species on the
Lepidoptera of Florida ChecklistIdentification
Adult: forewing orangish-brown with paler patches along costa, along inner margin, and at apex; median area with large silvery discal spot having an irregular outline; hindwing reddish-orange with blackish patch at outer margin near anal angle
(see Remarks and See Also sections below)
Range
Brazil north through Central America and Mexico to southern Florida, Texas, and Arizona (the distribution map
here shows a record in California but the species is not on the
California Moths List at U. of California)
C. parce is the only
Callionima species on the
Lepidoptera of Florida Checklist Habitat
woodlands
in Venezuela, C. parce flies only before midnight, and C. falcifera flies only after midnight
Season
adults fly all year in the tropics; individual migrants occasionally stray north to United States April-September
Food
larvae are thought to feed on plants in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae)
Remarks
Some sources describe Callionima parce as browner and with less falcate wings than C. falcifera (which is described as redder and with more falcate wings). Other sources claim that the two species cannot be distinguished without examining genitalia. Below are some links to photos in addition to the ones listed under Internet References.
images labeled
C. parce:
1,
2,
3,
4,
5,
6
images labeled
C. falcifera:
1,
2,
3,
4,
5See Also
Callionima falcifera; read the differing opinions on the ability to identify this and other species at
Bill Oehlke's site Internet References
species account with photos and discussion of identification difficulties (Bill Oehlke, silkmoths.bizland.com)
pinned adult image by Paul Opler, plus description, flight season, foodplants, US distribution map (butterfliesandmoths.org)
19 pinned adult images and collection site map (All-Leps)
pinned adult image (Bruce Walsh, Moths of Southeastern Arizona)
presence in Florida; list (John Heppner, Florida State Collection of Arthropods)
Contributed by
Robin McLeod on 13 April, 2007 - 4:41pm
Last updated 13 April, 2007 - 11:32pm
