Species Xylophanes tersa - Tersa Sphinx - Hodges#7890

7890

Xylophanes tersa (Linnaeus)

Sphinx tersa Linnaeus 1771

Wingspan 60-80 mm

Adult moth: Note pointed abdomen, contrasting black markings on hindwing.

Caterpillar: One large eyespot and six smaller ones progressing down the body, with a light stripe roughly bisecting the eyespots. Black "horn" on rear end. Both green and brown forms are known. In earlier instars, smaller eyespots are barely visible and striping more pronounced.

TX-FL-NY-IA / Mex, W. Indies - Map (MPG)

Resident year-round in southern states and migrates north in warmer months.

mostly: June-October (1 brood), year-round (several broods) in Florida (BG data)

Adults take nectar from deep-throated flowers.

Larvae feed on Madder Family, Rubiaceae, including Smooth buttonplant (Spermacoce glabra), starclusters (Pentas species), Borreria, Manettia; and Bignoniaceae: Catalpa. Also noted, in North Carolina, from Virginia Buttonweed, Diodia virginiana, also in the Rubiaceae.

Pupates in loose soil

- Range: se AZ - w. TX

Xylophanes falco (Walker)

-

Xylophanes libya (Druce) - rare strays into South Texas

Covell, p. 43, plate 6 (1)

Hodges, R.W., 1971. The Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 21:p. 150; pl. 13.18.

Wagner, p. 278 (2)

Moth Photographers Group (3)

The Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) (4)

Dallas County Lepidopterists' Society (5)

Sphingidae of the United States - Bill Oehlke