Genus Pseudosphinx

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Explanation of Names · Internet References

Tetrio Sphinx Moth caterpillars on plumeria - Pseudosphinx tetrio

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Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Subphylum Hexapoda (Hexapods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)

Superfamily Bombycoidea (Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths)

Family Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)

Subfamily Macroglossinae

Tribe Dilophonotini

Genus Pseudosphinx

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

First described in 1855 by Hermann Burmeister, who accidentally used the spelling "Pseudophinx". This is one of the few situations where the original spelling can be changed, so it was later corrected to "Pseudosphinx"

Explanation of Names

from the prefix pseudo- ("false-, imitation- ") + Sphinx. Members of this genus look like they should be in the genus Sphinx, but they aren't.

Internet References

Abhandlungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft zu Halle, v.3, p.65 Burmeister's original description of the genus.

Contributed by Troy Bartlett on 16 February, 2004 - 12:32pm
Additional contributions by Chuck Entz
Last updated 25 July, 2010 - 4:27pm

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