Sphinx sequoiae
Sphinx sequoiae is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ).
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths have a forewing length of only 22 to 35 millimeters. Already the size will vary the type of all other types, with the exception of Sphinx dollii. The front wings are on the top gray with a bluish tint. In the similar way it is instead brown. The similar way is also more patterned on the front wings. Diagonally across the wing extends from the base to the blade tip, a black line, but which is otherwise interrupted as in the similar manner and less developed. On the thorax, a pair of black longitudinal lines runs in Sphinx dollii it are two different things, which often merge into a broad dark band. The species is variable in coloration to a lesser extent in their patterning. In the south of its distribution, the moths are paler than in the north.
The caterpillars see which of Sphinx dollii similar. They have a strong green color and are provided with a series of white dots on each body segment. Thus they are perfectly camouflaged on the young shoots of the food plants. Unlike the similar manner brown spot on the back and below the rows of stigmata are always formed. The brown spots are variable in size.
The doll has remarkably transparent green-colored elytra and an otherwise pale brown abdomen. The very short proboscis sheath is curved away free and only slightly by the body. The short cremaster is dark and ends in a double peak.
Occurrence
The species is widespread in the north to the west of the Great Basin in southern Oregon and northeastern California. To the south the spread west of the Sierra Nevada and the Mojave Desert ranges to Baja California Norte in Mexico. In the literature there are single finds from Arizona and Nevada, where this is concerned to Sphinx dollii.
Sphinx sequoiae populated coniferous forests moderate to medium heights in Oregon and California.
Way of life
The habit of the species is poorly understood. The moths fly at dusk to light sources. When visiting flowers they were to Eriodictyon, Virginian black cherry ( Prunus virginiana ), and California buckeye (Aesculus californica ) detected.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly from May to July, probably in a generation.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars are so far only in Utah juniper (Juniperus osteosperma ) and red cedar (Thuja plicata) detected. In the western part of the Sierra Nevada, where no juniper grows, it is assumed that the kind of eats incense cedar ( Calocedrus decurrens ). You should also eat California juniper (Juniperus californica ).
Development
The way in which the females lay their eggs is unknown. Pupation takes place in a chamber just below the surface.