Sphinx poecila
Sphinx poecila is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). The species was first described by James Francis Stephens in 1828. Grote and Robinson synonymisierten the type 1865 Sphinx Gordius, to Clark downgraded to a subspecies in 1920, Sphinx Gordius borealis. Only Riotte recognized in 1980 that there are two distinct species. The type is the most common moth in Canada.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths have a forewing length of 32-43 millimeters. They look very similar to the closely related species Sphinx Gordius. This has a much higher contrast pattern as Sphinx poecila what makes a determination in many cases simple. However, the safest determining feature is the Submarginalbereich the front wing, outside the post office medial fascia, which is at Sphinx Gordius very dark, almost black, and clearly contrasts with the gray color of the other front wing. In Sphinx poecila this area has the same color as the rest of the wing, he rarely is powdered over the Analwinkel black with dark scales. All other particulars mentioned in the literature on the tops of the front wings do not always lead to a correct determination. The species is variable. Most individuals are at least slightly obscured, but the black patterns are not variable. The intensity of the white scales on the forewings is quite variable. There are very light colored animals, but also melanistic forms.
The hem on the outer edge of the front wing is spotted black and white, on the hind wings, he is almost completely white and pied little gray. The front wings are dark gray with diffuse black and gray wavy lines and a series of black lines that end in the wing tip. In addition, a white Diskalfleck is formed. This distinguishes the type of Sphinx canadensis. The hind wings are brownish gray on the top and have a wide black border and a black median line.
The caterpillars of the two similar species described above are also very similar. Both types have a variable deep green color and seven pairs of oblique, white side stripes. In Sphinx Gordius the white stripes are narrow and reddish purple margins to the back, whereas the strips are poecila wide at Sphinx and are black or at least very dark margins. The spiracles are reddish purple in the former type, russet Sphinx poecila. The head is at Sphinx Gordius green with a pair of dark green vertical stripes, Sphinx poecila he is dark green with light green stripes. In addition, the caterpillars of Sphinx Gordius are fairly smooth and strong provided the caterpillars of Sphinx poecila below the spiracles with secondary bristles. In addition to the green color morph there is also a bright burgundy and one that is a color mixture of the green and wine red form.
The pupa is reddish brown. Your proboscis sheath is exposed. She also sees Sphinx Gordius very similar. The cremaster is slightly wider and tapers not so rapidly to the double peak, which is pretty dull.
Occurrence
It is difficult to map the distribution of this species based on older material, as it is not able to identify the findings actually relate Sphinx Gordius. The species is widespread in any case significantly north, as her doppelganger. Problems of demarcation are in the northeastern United States, the region around the Great Lakes and the Canadian Prairie provinces to the extreme northeastern Alberta.
Way of life
The moths fly at night frequently to light sources. Evidence of nectar flowers, it indicates Apocynum, Lonicera involucrata, evening primrose (Oenothera ), vulgar lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and phlox (Phlox ).
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths seem to fly across their area of distribution in one generation from late May to late July.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on a variety of plants such as blueberries (Vaccinium ), Tamarack (Larix laricina ), Spier shrubs ( Spiraea ) and bog myrtle ( Myrica gale ). There are in the literature numerous other food plants, but many of these result from confusion with Sphinx poecila.
Development
The females lay their eggs singly on the leaves from the caterpillar food plants. The caterpillars are solitary and often active during the day. Pupation takes place in a shallow chamber just below the surface.