Sphinx chisoya
Sphinx chisoya is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). The species is closely related to the Sphinx Libocedrus, their exact taxonomic position is still largely unclear. Sphinx chisoya is so far known only from Texas.
Features
The moths have a forewing length of 29-34 millimeters. The top of the forewings is dark gray to blue- gray, with thin black lines. The dark Submarginalbinde is corrugated and is flanked by a light gray line. The upper side of the hind wings is dark gray and has two indistinct, light gray binding. There are only very few animals were caught, so the variability of the species is unknown. The illustration of the holotype of the species and the first description suggests that the specimen had a purple sheen.
The caterpillars have sloping, white side stripes that are edged with purple towards the back. Since only a few specimens have been found so far, a precise statement similar to the caterpillars of Sphinx Libocedrus in view of a possible variability is not possible.
Occurrence
The species is so far known only from Texas. A message of the type of Arizona is due to a confusion with Sphinx Libocedrus. The species was observed since the 1960s, only three times in Brownsville, twice in Bentsen - Rio Grande Valley State Park, Hidalgo County and one near the Falcon State Park in Starr County.
Way of life
The caterpillars feed on all probability of Fraxinus angustifolia berlandieriana and Forestiera of the family Oleaceae ( Oleaceae ).