Amphion floridensis
Amphion floridensis when visiting flowers
Amphion floridensis is the only butterfly species of the genus Amphion from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ).
- 3.1 Flight times and caterpillars
- 3.2 food plants of the caterpillars
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
Butterfly
The moths have a forewing length of 22-24 millimeters. The forewing outer margin is grooved, the abdomen bears a pair of garish yellow stripe and the abdomen end is provided with a shed tufts. These features make the type distinctive. The hind wings are colored orange - yellow variable in midfield. Males and females have the same coloring and drawing, but can be easily distinguished on the basis of the scale tuft on abdomen End: In females, the tuft ends with a rather straight to slightly concave edge, in the males with three clearly identifiable cloth. The species has rounded because of the wing shape somewhat similar to species of the genus Sphecodina, her abdomen is, however, at the end, and he lacks the lateral tufts of scales on the last four abdominal segments.
Crawler
Full-grown caterpillars have a rusty-brown color and are slightly punctured yellowish-white. To the side of the body of animals is brightly colored and provided with a series of dark brown oblique stripes. The Analhorn is short and strongly curved backwards.
Dolls
The pupa is dark brown and has a slightly rough surface. The proboscis sheath is fused with the body. The abdominal segments are much narrower and taper more than other moth species to the rear. The slightly elongated cremaster is rough and ends in a double peak.
Occurrence
The type is in the United States in all states east of the Mississippi and detected in the west, adjoining the said States. In the Great Plains, it is rather rare, but occurs on the west to Alpine, to the lowlands of Colorado and the hill country of northwestern Nebraska. In Canada, it has been demonstrated in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, in the south of Quebec, in Ontario on the Niagara Peninsula, north to Matachewan and west to Rainy River and in southeastern Manitoba. In Saskatchewan and neighboring U.S. states of North Dakota and Montana, the type is omitted, a Irrgast is however known from the southwestern Alberta. Are populated forest edges and adjacent fields with growth of grape vines.
Way of life
The diurnal Imagines are avid flower visitors. However, they also fly during dusk. They have been proven in many various flowers such as those of Phlox (Phlox ), honeysuckle ( Lonicera ), vulgar lilac (Syringa vulgaris), verbena (Verbena ), Common dame's violet ( Hesperis matronalis ), viburnum ( Viburnum ). The moths also fly to Butterfly bait, leaving pastures juice, over-ripe watermelons and carrion and sucking on moist sand.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in the north in one generation from late May to early July. Further south, take two generations from late March to mid May and from July to September. In the extreme south fly more, probably up to six generations from March to early September.
Food plants of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on grapevine family ( Vitaceae ), such as grapevines ( Vitis ), Ampelopsis and common Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus Vitacea ), but also of Schmalblättrigem fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) in the family Onagraceae ( Onagraceae ).
Development
The females lay their small, greenish eggs singly on the underside of the leaves of the food plants. The larvae are solitary. Full-grown caterpillars are sitting well camouflaged on the woody areas of their food plants. Pupation takes place in a shallow burrow in the ground.