Pandorus Sphinx - Eumorpha pandorus

Moved

Moved from Eumorpha.

… Jason D. Roberts, 20 October, 2009 - 7:13pm

Eumorpha pandorus (7859) Pandorus Sphinx

This moth is Eumorpha pandorus because it has yellow coloring on the underside of its wings, as can be seen in the other photo. Eumorpha satellitia has a tan or light brown coloring on the underside. Both moths occur in Florida, but E.satellitia occurs in south Florida at this time.
Please correct the spelling of Gainesville, Florida.

… richard m. gillmore, 22 November, 2007 - 5:21pm

Eumorpha sp.

This is a species of Eumorpha. Given the washed out (literally) appearance, it may be too tough to tell species. I would lean in the direction of satellitia or pandorus. In fact the underside of the forewing has me leaning more towards this being a washed out Eumorpha pandorus. It may not be possible to tell for certain which species it is, but the genus is Eumorpha.

… Jason D. Roberts, 29 May, 2007 - 3:00pm

Pandorus

I think you are right on the money with E. pandorus. E. satellitia is either not found in Florida or very rare there, if I'm not mistaken. I am impressed... I would have given up on this one because of the damage, but when I saw your ID, I looked closely and I'm pretty sure you're right!

… Bobby Grizzard, 29 May, 2007 - 3:47pm

Thanks

Thanks for the kind words. I like a challenge, so I took what I had to work with in these photos and went for it. I'm fairly confident in a pandorus ID. I agree that satellitia is less likely. I have collected one in south GA along interstate 75, and a friend of mine collected one in the Florida panhandle, but satellitia is generally found in south Texas and Arizona. I'm glad to see my ID is seconded.
Thanks again.

… Jason D. Roberts, 29 May, 2007 - 7:07pm

Thank you

Thank you both! Glad you didn't mind the extra challenge. I really appreaciate your help--bugguide and all those who really make it what it is are great. This is my favorite website!

… J Lee, 29 May, 2007 - 9:50pm