Xylophanes chiron
Xylophanes chiron
Xylophanes chiron is a butterfly (moth ) from the family of moth ( Sphingidae ).
Features
The wingspan of the butterfly is 77 to 81 millimeters. The front wings are decorated with a green and grayish brown binding, so that they resemble a sheet of dead areas. This staining resolves the wing shape so that the true outline of the blade on a corresponding surface is hardly recognizable. It is therefore a good example of a so-called Somatolyse. When Nominatunterart these spots are greatly reduced on the Costa loader and Analwinkel or lacking. The caterpillars are colored flashy and shiny green, on the first two abdominal segments are paired red or white and red -rimmed eye-spots.
Dissemination
The distribution area of Xylophanes chiron extends from Mexico to northern Argentina, and to Guadeloupe, Martinique and Jamaica. Some individuals have also been discovered in the Netherlands, where it can be assumed that they were introduced with South African goods.
Way of life
In Costa Rica the species flies during the year. In Peru, at least three generations are formed, which fly from January to February, June to July and October. The moths like to fly to artificial light sources, the females keep a greater distance than the males.
The females attract the males with a pheromone that is secreted by a gland at the tip of the abdomen.
The larvae feed on various species of the family Rubiaceae ( Rubiaceae ) and the Vochysiaceae, these include for example: Coussarea austin - smithii, Coussarea caroliana, Faramea occidentalis, Faramea multiflora, Faramea stenura, Hamelia axillary Hamelia patens, Manettia reclinata, Morinda panamensis, Palicourea guianensis, Palicourea padifolia, Palicourea salicifolia, Psychotria acuminata, angustiflora Psychotria, Psychotria berteriana, chagrensis Psychotria, Psychotria correae, cyanococca Psychotria, Psychotria deflexa, Psychotria elata, Psychotria eurycarpa, Palicourea guianensis, Psychotria horizontalis, lamarinensis Psychotria, Psychotria pubescens, Psychotria racemosa, Psychotria microdon, Psychotria nervosa, Psychotria officinalis, pittieri Psychotria, Psychotria valerioi, Rudgea cornifolia, Rudgea reducticalyx, Spermacoce exilis, Vochysia guatemalensis.
Representatives of Brackwespen ( Braconidae ) such as Meteorus congregatus parasitize the larvae.
The pupal period lasts 17 to 35 days.
System
Synonyms
- Sphinx sagittata Goeze, 1780
- Sphinx butus Fabricius, 1787
Subspecies
The type locality is the Nominatunterart Jamaica.
- Xylophanes chiron chiron Drury, 1771
- Xylophanes chiron nechus Cramer, 1777
- Xylophanes chiron Lucianus Rothschild & Jordan, 1906