Sphinx perelegans
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Preparation of Sphinx perelegans |
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| Edwards , 1874 |
Sphinx perelegans is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of moth (Sphingidae).
features
butterfly
The moths have a fore wing length of 40 to 49 millimeters. Despite its close relationship with Sphinx asellus, the species can most likely be confused with Sphinx vashti . However, Sphinx perelegans is larger and the medial area on the forewings is rather darker in color. It also lacks the well-developed black line in the submarginal area, which is characteristic of the similar species. The proportion of white coloring in the costal area of the forewings is variable.
egg
The eggs are shiny apple green and have a slightly oval shape with a size of 2.0 by 1.8 millimeters. After the eggs are laid, their color becomes paler.
Caterpillar
The caterpillars are 70 to 75 millimeters long. Initially, the pale yellow caterpillars are about five millimeters long and have a long, dark anal horn . It is basal red and has a distinct double point. The head is relatively large. As they eat, the animals turn increasingly pale green. After the first moult, whitish stripes can be seen on the sides and the body is covered with fine, pale tubercles. The round head has only a little yellow on the cheeks. The anal horn is red at the base, then black or reddish-black and pale below the tip. At this stage the caterpillars look very similar to the fruits of Gaultheria shallon .
In the third stage, a purple sheen is formed on each abdominal bone , the thoracic bones , the mandibles and the ocelli . The anal horn can lose its black component and only be colored red. In the second and third stage, two color variants of the caterpillars appear. One is bluish gray-green, the other pale apple-green, both of which are whitish on the back. The body of the animals is evenly thick from head to anal horn. In the fourth stage, the purple sheen on the head and legs becomes more noticeable. The head is now oval and otherwise pale green in color than the body. The yellow stripes on the cheeks are now very clear. The straight, long anal horn is light at the base, reddish in the lower third and otherwise cream-colored, but has a black, only slightly split double tip. The sloping side stripes are pale cream in color and not very noticeable.
In the last stage, the caterpillars are greyish or apple green, with the back a little paler. No tubercles are now formed. The oblique side stripes are white, but the rear ones are yellowish in the apple-green form. The stripes are bordered in purple towards the back, an equally colored spot is located at the base of each abdominal bone. The rearmost side stripe extends to the anal horn, which is now colored blue. The thoracic legs and head are yellowish-ocher, often with a slight purple tinge. The face is brown, the cheeks have a purple-brown band behind the now indistinct yellow stripes on the cheeks. The stigmas are pale orange, the pusher has a yellow border.
The caterpillars are less conspicuously colored than the similar caterpillars of Sphinx asellus . In contrast to this species, in Sphinx perelegans the stigmas, the abdominal bones and the anal horn are not colored purple. The caterpillars, like those of the similar species, have two shiny black spots on the back of the head, which are normally covered by the thorax placed over them in the resting position or when eating. If the caterpillar is disturbed, it straightens its front body with the pose typical for hawkers, shows the black spots in the direction of the disturber and writhes violently.
Doll
The pupa is 45 to 47 millimeters long, reddish brown and has a smooth surface. Their short proboscis sheath is exposed, but lies pressed against the body, as is the case with Lintneria eremitoides . The very short, blunt and smooth kremaster is dark brown and ends in a double point.
Occurrence
The species is restricted to the western United States and occurs in California, Oregon, and Washington. There is evidence from Colorado and west Texas as well, but it is likely that these are false reports and that the species essentially only occurs on the west coast of the United States and that its eastern distribution ends in the west of the Great Basin .
Sphinx perelegans inhabits wooded areas of medium altitude in the mountainous region.
Way of life
The moths fly from dusk until well after midnight. They are very active and react very quickly to disturbances. The species can be abundant locally and is strongly attracted by light sources at night. You can also observe the species when you visit the flowers of evening primrose ( Oenothera ), rhododendrons ( Rhododendron ), Clarkia breweri and Diplacus aurantiacus .
Flight and caterpillar times
The moths apparently fly in one generation, depending on the distribution area, from late April to early August, with the maximum in June and July. In California, a second, incomplete generation is being trained and flying in August / September.
Food of the caterpillars
The caterpillars have been identified on Cercocarpus betuloides , Prunus ilicifolia , Arctostaphylos glauca , Arctostaphylos patula as well as Arctostaphylos manzanita and Arbutus menziesii . Gaultheria shallon is also accepted for breeding .
development
The females lay up to 200 eggs on the underside of the leaves of the host plants. Usually they are filed individually, occasionally two or three together. The young caterpillars rest on the midrib of the leaves. Older caterpillars sit on the petioles or branches with the rear part of the body clamped tightly and eat by moving the front part of the body around, as is usual with swarms. They often rest on or under a branch, somewhat withdrawn and hidden between leaves. Pupation takes place several centimeters deep in the ground. Pupae were documented several times in the ground holes of ground squirrels , with three to 10 pupae being found per hole. The pupae were also not eaten by the gophers. Even in southern California, up to 50% of the pupae will survive by next year and may even go into diapause for two or more winters.
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d e f g h i 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 .
- ↑ a b c d e f g h Sphingidae of the Americas. Bill Oehlke, accessed December 29, 2011 .
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 .
