Sphinx perelegans

Sphinx perelegans, the elegant sphinx, is a species of hawkmoth.

Elegant sphinx
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Sphinx
Species:
S. perelegans
Binomial name
Sphinx perelegans
Henry Edwards, 1874[1]
Synonyms
  • Sphinx vancouverensis Edwards, 1874

Distribution

It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Baja California and to New Mexico.

Description

The wingspan is 98–110 mm.

  • Sphinx perelegans ♂
    Sphinx perelegans ♂
  • Sphinx perelegans ♂ △
    Sphinx perelegans ♂ △
  • Sphinx perelegans ♀
    Sphinx perelegans ♀
  • Sphinx perelegans ♀ △
    Sphinx perelegans ♀ △

Biology

There is one generation per year in the north with adults on wing in June and July. In California, there is one generation (although there might be a partial second) with adults on wing from April to June and again from August to September.

The adult of this species is a key pollinator of the rare lemon lily (Lilium parryi) in California.[2]

The larvae feed on Arctostaphylos manzanita, Arbutus menziesii, Cercocarpus betuloides and Prunus ilicifolia. In captivity, they will feed on Gaultheria shallon.

References
  1. "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  2. "Lilium parryi". Center for Plant Conservation. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
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