Species Sphinx perelegans - Elegant Sphinx - Hodges#7805

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Identification · Internet References

huge elegant sphinx - Sphinx perelegans - female

Sphinx Perelegrans - Sphinx perelegans - male

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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 Sphinginae

Tribe Sphingini

Genus Sphinx

Species perelegans (Elegant Sphinx - Hodges#7805)

Hodges Number

7805

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

First described in 1874 by Henry Edwards as Sphinx perelegans

Identification

The larva has a shield on the first thoracic segment, which is of the same color as the body and which forms a tight-fitting hood over the vertex of the head. This hides a pair of glossy black spots on top of the head, which are revealed if the animal is disturbed. The eye-like appearance of these is enhanced by pale purple intersegmental cuticle behind the head. The full-grown larvae also bite. Comment by Bill Oehlke.

Internet References

Butterflies and Moths of North America

Contributed by Cotinis on 6 April, 2006 - 7:35am
Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset, Chuck Entz
Last updated 5 June, 2010 - 8:56pm

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