Paonias
| Paonias | ||||||||||
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Paonias excaecatus |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||
| Paonias | ||||||||||
| Huebner , [1819] |
Paonias is a genus of butterflies from the family of swarmers (Sphingidae). It is very closely related to the genus Smerinthus . Only slight differences in characteristics distinguish the adults , the caterpillars and pupae of the two genera have no different characteristics at all.
features
The medium-sized moths have a relatively slim build. The forewings are narrow. Their outer edge varies from strongly curved to almost straight. There is a clear eye-spot on the hind wings , but this lacks the black pupil that occurs in Smerinthus . The antennae of the females are thread-like, those of the males are clearly combed.
The caterpillars are typically hawk-like with a strong anal horn . Their body is provided with white to pale yellow secondary bristles, which give the body surface a granular structure. In all species the caterpillars have seven pairs of diagonal stripes.
The pupae have a slightly rough body surface, clearly recognizable abdominal segments and a very long, pointed cremaster .
Occurrence and way of life
The genus is widespread in the nearctic .
The caterpillars have been found on food plants of many families, but prefer trees and bushes of the rose family (Rosaceae), willow ( Salix ) and poplar ( Populus ) as well as the heather family (Ericaceae). Pupation takes place in the ground in a chamber.
Systematics
Five species of the genus are known worldwide:
- Paonias astylus (Drury, 1773)
- Paonias excaecata (JE Smith, 1797)
- Paonias macrops Gehlen, 1933
- Paonias myops (JE Smith, 1797)
- Paonias wolfei Cadiou & Haxaire, 1997
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e James P. Tuttle: The Hawkmoths of North America, A Natural History Study of the Sphingidae of the United States and Canada The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, DC 2007, ISBN 978-0-9796633-0- 7 .
- ^ Ian J. Kitching, Jean-Marie Cadiou: Hawkmoths of the World. An Annotated and Illustrated Revisionary Checklist (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae). Cornell University Press, New York 2000, ISBN 0-8014-3734-2
- ↑ Paonias Hübner, 1819. Sphingidae Taxonomic Inventory, accessed June 17, 2015 .
literature
- James P. Tuttle: The Hawkmoths of North America, A Natural History Study of the Sphingidae of the United States and Canada , The Wedge Entomological Research Foundation, Washington, DC 2007, ISBN 978-0-9796633-0-7 .
