Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Sphinx libocedrus Edwards, 1881
Syn: Sphinx insolita Lintner 1884
S. insolita was published describing the population which includes south Texas, which is darker than populations further west; it is currently considered a form of
S. libocedrus but may yet prove to be a good species.
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Phylogenetic sequence #227125
Numbers
16 Sphinx species occur in America north of Mexico.
Identification
Forewings and most of body nondescript gray, cryptic. Hindwings darker gray with a narrow pale tranverse band. Abdomen has black sides with a row of five bold white spots, concealed beneath the wings when at rest.
Range
southern California to Baja and east to Oklahoma and Texas
Habitat
Arid brushlands, chaparral, and prairie breaks
Season
Adults are most common from April to Ocotber.
(2)Food
Caterpillars feed on the foliage of plants in the Oleaceae family.
New Mexico Privet (Forestiera neomexicana)
Remarks
G3 - threatened due to habitat destruction and is uncommon.
BAMONA
Knudson and Bordelon (2004) report this species as "fairly common in southwestern Texas to Arizona."
(1)See Also
A Mexican species,
S. chisoya, is virtually identical.
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Compare on the pinned plates of
Moth Photographers Group.
Print References
Edwards, H. 1881. Descriptions of some new species of Heterocera. Papilio 1:
116.
Tuttle, J.P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 77; pl. 7.3, 12.7.
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