Florida Rustic Sphinx Moth

These important evening pollinators are attracted to a wide variety of flowers where they use their long proboscis to feed on nectar.

Florida rustic sphinx moth.

Deilephila elpenor elephant hawk moth linnaeus 1758 enyo lugubris mournful sphinx linnaeus 1771 erinnyis alope alope sphinx drury 1770. Moth insects found in the state of florida. Manduca rustica is native to the southeastern united states. Strays to maine massachusetts and new york.

The caterpillars of rustic sphinx moth feed on various ornamentals including gardenia sunflower lantana and ligustrum. The mottled coloration if looked at closely reveals a zigzag pattern crossing the body from left to. Adult moths have a pattern of blacks whites and browns across their bodies that helps them blend into the bark of trees as a form of camouflage. Virginia to south florida west to arkansas texas southern new mexico arizona and southern california.

890092 00 7778 manduca rustica rustic sphinx moth fabricius 1775. Buss university of florida. This striking mammoth sized moth is a member of the sphinx family. Manduca rustica is a southern species resident from virginia to south florida and west through arkansas and texas to new mexico southern arizona and southern california.

Like other hawkmoths manduca rustica is nocturnal. A parasitized hornworm caterpillar of the rustic sphinx moth manduca rustica fabricius with cotesia congregata cocoons emerging larva red arrow and adult wasp. Hairy legs add to its charm. It strays northward to maine new york and quebec.

Manduca rustica the rustic sphinx is a moth of the family sphingidae the species was first described by johan christian fabricius in 1775. A caterpillar of the rustic sphinx moth manduca rustica fabricius feeding on olive. Consider contributing an image at the email address showcased at the bottom of this page. The rich black and white speckled coloration of the rustic sphinx moth is contained by sharp short white dashes on the edges of its hind wings.

South through central america to uruguay. Meet the rustic sphinx manduca rustica a native moth of the southeastern united states in the sphingidae family also known as hawkmoths. Their darting very fast flight might.