Sphinx drupiferarum
Sphinx drupiferarum ( preparation )
Sphinx drupiferarum is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). The species is widespread in much of North America.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths have a forewing length of 45-52 millimeters. They are characterized in comparison to other species of the genus Sphinx by clearly contrasting forewing. The front wings are slate gray with fine black median lines. The wavy, dark Subterminallinie is indistinct margins and with a white and a whitish line in the terminal area, both of which run parallel to the outer edge. There is a wide, light gray, often almost white bandage on about three-quarters of the inner part of the Costalrandes. The medial area is almost black and very wide ranging as binding from the inner edge to the wing tip. Sphinx perelegans has similarity with the way the dark binding but drupiferarum much stronger and sharper delineated in Sphinx. The proportion of light shed in the cost Alber calibration of the forewing is somewhat variable, so there is also some paler colored animals.
The full-grown caterpillars are green and have seven oblique, white side stripes that are edged towards the back, purple and so give them resemble the caterpillars of Sphinx and Sphinx Gordius luscitiosa. Can be distinguished from similar species by the much wider purple edges on the side strip, a pair of conspicuous black lines on the head and her reddish -violet Analhorn the way but easy.
The doll is very dark brown and has a slightly rough surface. Their rather short proboscis sheath is exposed and lies close to the body. The wide cremaster is short and ends in a double peak.
Occurrence
The species is widespread in much of North America, but is mainly in the north more frequently. In the United States, is the kind of New England, the region around the Great Lakes and the states of the Rocky Mountains, north spread to the Pacific coast in northern California. In the south, there is scattered evidence from the north of South Carolina, Georgia and Mississippi, as well as the West Central Texas. In Canada, the species with the exception of the Maritime provinces along the entire length from east to west is common in the prairie provinces, but rarely. The species is detected in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, southern Quebec, Ontario, southern Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia.
It is not easy to assign Sphinx drupiferarum certain habitats, but the way settled in any case preferred woodlands.
Way of life
The moths fly to light sources and also visit nectar plants. They are proven to Lonicera japonica and pollinators of the rare orchid Platanthera praeclara.
Flight times and caterpillars
The moths fly in many parts of the distribution area from mid-May to late July, in Utah flies the way until end of May. It is assumed that the nature of all flies only in one generation per year.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on a variety of rose family ( Rosaceae ), in particular species of Prunus, apple (Malus ) and pear rocks ( Amelanchier ). However, it has also detected on hackberry trees (Celtis ) from the family of the elm family ( Ulmaceae ).
Development
The females lay their eggs singly on both sides of the leaves of the caterpillar food plants. The caterpillars are nocturnal and hide during the day. Pupation takes place in a chamber deep in the ground.