Sphinx gordius
Sphinx Gordius is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ). In the type it was originally a widespread and very variable Art. Later it was realized that the animals in the north of the original distribution area a separate species, Sphinx poecila, represented, which was split off from Sphinx Gordius.
- 5.1 Notes and references
- 5.2 Literature
Features
The moths have a forewing length of 33-42 millimeters. They look very similar to the closely related species Sphinx poecila. The former type has a significantly higher contrast pattern as second consists of what makes a determination in many cases simple. However, the safest determining feature is the Submarginalbereich the front wing, outside the post office medial fascia, which is at Sphinx Gordius very dark, almost black, and clearly contrasts with the gray color of the other front wing. In the similar way, this area has the same color as the rest of the wing, he rarely is powdered over the Analwinkel black with dark scales. All other particulars mentioned in the literature on the tops of the front wings do not always lead to a correct determination. The species is very variable. There are individuals that are very dark, while their offspring have normal contrasted wings. The reliable determination of these dark specimens have the most difficulty. To the west of its range, some specimens have a whitish color in the medial region of the forewing, which is why these animals Sphinx luscitiosa look similar. The hind wings are on the top gray to yellowish gray and have a black border and a black median line, which is defined between sharp varied to diffuse.
The caterpillars of the two similar species described above are also very similar. Both types have a variable deep green color and seven pairs of oblique, white side stripes. In Sphinx Gordius the white stripes are narrow and reddish purple margins to the back, whereas the strip at the similar nature are broad and are black or at least very dark margins. The spiracles are reddish purple in the former type, in The second one russet. The head is at Sphinx Gordius green with a pair of dark green vertical stripes, in the similar manner, he is dark green with light green stripes. In addition, the caterpillars of Sphinx Gordius are fairly smooth and strong provided the caterpillars of Sphinx poecila below the spiracles with secondary bristles.
The very short doll is reddish brown. Your proboscis sheath is exposed. The rather narrow cremaster tapers rapidly to a double peak.
Occurrence
It is difficult to determine the distribution of this species based on older material, as it is not able to identify the findings actually relate Sphinx poecila. The species is widespread in any case considerably south than her doppelganger and it seems three disjunct areas of distribution in North America to give. The species is west to southern Wisconsin's most frequently from the south of New England. There is ample evidence also of the Appalachian Mountains, which extend into the southern Tennessee, Illinois, and much of Missouri and there are several isolated finds from Florida. In the West, the spread in the north extends to the north of Wisconsin, Minnesota and the south of the Canadian Prairie provinces. There is also an isolated occurrence in Colorado and Utah.
Way of life
The moths fly at night frequently to light sources. Evidence of nectar flowers are difficult to assign these or similar style, you'll have the vulgar at least at Lilac (Syringa vulgaris) and the ordinary soapwort ( Saponaria officinalis) detected.
Flight times and caterpillars
The butterflies fly everywhere in one generation from late May to late July, only in Florida flying from mid-February to mid-July.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars feed on a wide variety of plants, such as apples (Malus ), Prunus species, blueberries (Vaccinium ), larch ( Larix), Myrica species, Rosa carolina, white spruce (Picea glauca ) and alder ( Alnus ).
Development
The females lay their eggs singly on the leaves from the caterpillar food plants. The caterpillars are active during the day and hide in periods of rest between the sheets. Pupation takes place in a shallow chamber just below the surface.