Eumorpha labruscae

Gaudy sphinx
Sao Paulo, Brazil
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Clade:Euarthropoda
Class:Insecta
Order:Lepidoptera
Family:Sphingidae
Genus:Eumorpha
Species: E. labruscae
Binomial name
Eumorpha labruscae
Synonyms
  • Sphinx labruscae Linnaeus, 1758
  • Sphinx clotho Fabricius, 1775
  • Pholus labruscae yupanquii Kernbach, 1962
mounted specimen of adult

Eumorpha labruscae (gaudy sphinx) is a moth in the family Sphingidae, with a wingspan of 4​5⁄16–4​3⁄4 inches (11–12 cm). Its body and dorsal forewings are a deep green color. The dorsal hindwings have purple-blue patches, yellow borders, and a red spot near the inner margin. The underside is yellow-green and gray-purple. Like most moths in the family Sphingidae, caterpillars pupate in underground burrows.

Distribution

It is found from Argentina north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to Florida, Mississippi, South Texas, and Arizona. Occasionally winds carry them to other places, such as to Missouri, southern Michigan, Pennsylvania, Maine, and southern Saskatchewan.

Life cycle

Female adults lay their eggs on the leaves of the host plant, mainly grapes (Vitis), vine (Cissus), and Christmasbush (Chromolaena odorata). Caterpillars hatch and start eating, resembling the head of a snake. When they are ready to pupate, they climb down their host plant and burrow underground. When the pupa is ready, it wiggles to the surface just prior to eclosion. The newly emerged adults then climb on a plant or some other surface, and pump fluid into their wings to extend them. Females emit pheromones at night, and males fly into the wind to pick up and track the pheromone plume. Adults probably feed on flower nectar.

Subspecies

  • Eumorpha labruscae labruscae
  • Eumorpha labruscae yupanquii (Kernbach, 1962) (Galápagos Islands)

References

  1. ↑ "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. Retrieved 2011-10-26.


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