Paonias
Paonias astylus
Paonias is a genus of butterflies of the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). It is closely related to the genus Smerinthus. Only minor differences in characteristics distinguish the imagos, the caterpillars and pupae of the two species have no distinguishing features.
Features
The medium-sized moths have a relatively lean physique. The forewings are narrow. Its outer edge varies from strongly curved to nearly straight. On the hind wings there is a clear eye spot, but this is missing the black pupil, as occurs in Smerinthus. The antennae of the female are filiform, those of the males are significantly combed.
The caterpillars are typical owls like a well-built Analhorn. Your body is made up of white to pale yellow secondary bristles that give the body surface a granular structure. For all species the caterpillars have seven pairs of lateral oblique stripes.
The dolls have a slightly rough body surface, well visible abdominal segments and a very long, pointed cremaster.
Occurrence and life
The genus is widespread nearktisch.
The caterpillars were detected in food plants of many families, but trees and shrubs of the rose family ( Rosaceae ), willow ( Salix) and poplars (Populus ) and heather plants prefer ( Ericaceae ). Pupation takes place in a chamber in the soil.
System
Worldwide four species of the genus are known:
- Paonias astylus ( Drury, 1773)
- Paonias excaecata (J. E. Smith, 1797)
- Paonias myops (J. E. Smith, 1797)
- Paonias wolfei Cadiou & Haxaire, 1997