Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Protambulyx strigilis (Linnaeus)
Orig. Comb: Sphinx strigilis Linnaeus 1771
Carter's Sphinx -
Protambulyx carteri Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 - Hodges #7819 is considered a syn of
strigilis (1), but see Heppner (2008)
Explanation of Names
carteri - Patronym for Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter (1848-1927), who coll. the Type spmn in Nassau, Bahamas.
Numbers
the only species in the genus for America north of Mexico
Identification
Inner margin of forewing is indented. Upperside of forewing is pale yellowish gray in the pale form and reddish brown in the dark form. Both have a distinct submarginal line and a dark band along the indentation in the inner margin. Hindwing upperside of the pale form is deep golden orange with dark bands; dark form has orangish brown hindwing. Hindwing underside of both forms has irregular transverse lines, a distinct submarginal line, and a pale outer margin.
Range
mostly s. FL and a rare stray to s. TX / Mex. to S. Amer. / W. Indies -
Map (MPG)
Season
year round in s. FL, Dec.-Jan. in s. TX
(2), (BG data)
Food
Host plants are various woody plants in the cashew family (Anacardiaceae), primarily Brazilian peppertree - Schinus terebinthifolius
Larva also on
Anacardium, Spondias, Erythroxylon, Comocladia (3)Remarks
First US record of Protambulyx strigilis (Linnaeus) from Palm Beach, FL. (Barnes and McDunnough 1910)
Kimball (1965) reported only a few subsequent FL records, most of which he considered questionable.
(2)
Note, Carter's Sphinx -
Protambulyx carteri Rothschild & Jordan, 1903 has long been common in Florida.
(2)Print References
Barnes, W. and J.H. McDunnough. 1910. List of Sphingidae of America north of Mexico. Psyche 17(5): 190-206.
Full Text
Covell,C. 1984. Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Moths. p. 36.
(4)
Heppner, J.B. 2008. Florida Lepidoptera notes, 3. Protambulyx hawk moths in Florida (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Lepidoptera Novae, 1, 90-94
Hodges, R.W. 1971. MONA Fascicle 21. p. 78; pl. 6.10, 12.
(3)
Rothschild, W. and K. Jordan, 1903. A revision of the Lepidopterous family Sphingidae. Novit. Zool. 9(suppl.)(1): 1-813.
Full PDF
Tuttle, J.P. 2007. Hawk Moths of North America. p. 112; pl. 10.1, 6, 8.
(1)