Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Smerinthus saliceti Boisduval, 1875
* phylogenetic sequence #227600
Explanation of Names
Saliceti is derived from Latin for "willow". Salicaceae is the family name that includes willows and cottonwoods.
Smerinthus saliceti Boisduval, 1875 may only occur in central Mexico with records from CA likely referring to S. ophthalmica and those from AZ and NM to S. astarte. The true identity of saliceti is apparently unknown and it is possible that it is conspecific with S. astarte in which case saliceti would have priority. Records from AZ and NM are treated at MPG as astarte but both names are retained pending further study. See Kitching (2019).
Size
Forewing length 3.1-4.2 cm.
(1)Range
Southern Arizona and southern California.
(1) (this treatment is outdated, see "Explanation of Names" above and
BOLD BIN: AAC2087 .)
Food
Hosts are likely willows and cottonwoods.
(1)See Also
"
Smerinthus cerisyi", at least in southeastern Arizona, is usually found at higher elevations than
saliceti.
(1) - (
Smerinthus cerisyi here apparently refers to its former synonym
S. astarte.)
Smerinthus cerisyi: hindwing tends to have an eyespot with an unbroken blue ring, not broken into two arcs; forewing pm. line tends to be straighter andis typically formed by a series of wedge shaped dashes between the veins.
Smerinthus astarte may be conspecific and, if so, saliceti would have priority. If they are separate species, it may be that astarte replaces saliceti north of Mexico. Both names are retained pending further study.Print References
Hodges, R.W. 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico. Sphingoidea (Sphinginae, Macroglossinae) Fascicle 21: p.83, pl.6.18, 7.5
(2)
Kitching, I., R. Rougerie, A. Zwick, C. Hamilton, R. St Laurent, S. Naumann, L. Ballesteros Mejia, A. Kawahara, 2018. A global checklist of the Bombycoidea (Insecta: Lepidoptera). Biodiversity Data Journal, 6:
e22236.
Powell, J.A. & P.A. Opler 2009. Moths of Western North America. pl.39.7m, p.242
(1)
Tuttle, J.P. 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: A Natural History Study of the Sphingidae of the United States and Canada. p.118, pl.11.6
(3)Internet References
Kitching, I.J., 2019. Sphingidae Taxonomic Inventory,
species page -
Smerinthus saliceti
Kitching, I.J., 2019. Sphingidae Taxonomic Inventory,
species page -
Smerinthus astarte
