Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
 

Register · Log In
HomeGuideID RequestRecentFrassForumsDonateHelp
Clickable Guide
Moths Butterflies Flies Caterpillars Flies Dragonflies Flies Mantids Cockroaches Bees and Wasps Walkingsticks Earwigs Ants Termites Hoppers and Kin Hoppers and Kin Beetles True Bugs Fleas Grasshoppers and Kin Ticks Spiders Scorpions Centipedes Millipedes

Calendar
Upcoming Events

See Moth submissions from National Moth Week 2023

Photos of insects and people from the 2022 BugGuide gathering in New Mexico, July 20-24

Photos of insects and people from the Spring 2021 gathering in Louisiana, April 28-May 2

Photos of insects and people from the 2019 gathering in Louisiana, July 25-27

Photos of insects and people from the 2018 gathering in Virginia, July 27-29

Photos of insects and people from the 2015 gathering in Wisconsin, July 10-12


Previous events
TaxonomyBrowse
Info
ImagesLinksBooksData
Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Hexapods (Hexapoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Butterflies and Moths (Lepidoptera) » Silkworm, Sphinx, and Royal Moths (Bombycoidea) » Sphinx Moths (Sphingidae) » Sphinginae » Sphingini » Sphinx » Elegant Sphinx - Hodges#7805 (Sphinx perelegans)

Species Sphinx perelegans - Elegant Sphinx - Hodges#7805

Classification · Hodges Number · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Identification · Internet References
huge elegant sphinx - Sphinx perelegans - female Hummingbird Moth, black and white, British Columbia, Canada - Sphinx perelegans Elegant Sphinx Moth (Sphinx perelegans)? - Sphinx perelegans Elegant Sphinx Moth - Sphinx perelegans Found around 9am being attacked by a tiger whiptail at 2200ft in chaparral habitat near Palomar Mountain. - Sphinx perelegans Elegant Sphinx Moth - Sphinx perelegans Sphinx perelegans Sphinx perelegans
Show images of: caterpillars · adults · both
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

Disclaimer: Dedicated naturalists volunteer their time and resources here to provide this service. We strive to provide accurate information, but we are mostly just amateurs attempting to make sense of a diverse natural world. If you need expert professional advice, contact your local extension office.

Contributors own the copyright to and are solely responsible for contributed content.
Click the contributor's name for licensing and usage information.
Everything else copyright © 2003-2023 Iowa State University, unless otherwise noted.

Bugguide is hosted by:

Plant Pathology, Entomology and Microbiology at Iowa State University logo

Printer Friendly Version 		Terms of Use
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Contact