Xylophanes chiron

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Xylophanes chiron
Xylophanes chiron

Xylophanes chiron

Systematics
Class : Insects (Insecta)
Order : Butterflies (Lepidoptera)
Family : Swarmers (Sphingidae)
Subfamily : Macroglossinae
Genre : Xylophanes
Type : Xylophanes chiron
Scientific name
Xylophanes chiron
( Drury , 1771)
Xylophanes chiron

Xylophanes Chiron is a butterfly ( moth ) from the family of moth (Sphingidae).

features

The wingspan of the moth is 77 to 81 millimeters. The forewings are green with a grayish brown band, so that they resemble a leaf with dead areas. This coloring dissolves the shape of the wing, so that the true outline of the wing is hardly recognizable on a corresponding background. It is therefore a good example of what is known as somatolysis . In the nominate subspecies, these spots on the Costa loader and in the anal angle are greatly reduced or absent entirely. The caterpillars are conspicuous and shiny green in color, on the first two abdominal segments there are paired red or white-red rimmed eye spots.

distribution

The distribution area of Xylophanes chiron extends from Mexico to northern Argentina as well as to Guadeloupe , Martinique and Jamaica . Some individuals have also been discovered in the Netherlands, where it can be assumed that they were brought in with South American goods.

Way of life

In Costa Rica , the species flies all year round. In Peru at least three generations are formed, which fly from January to February, from June to July and in October. The moths like to fly to artificial light sources, whereby the females keep a greater distance than the males.

The females attract the males with a pheromone secreted by a gland at the top of the abdomen .

The larvae feed on various species of the family of the redness plants (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 , Psychotria angustiflora , Psychotria berteriana , Psychotria chagrensis , correae Psychotria , Psychotria cyanococca , Psychotria deflexa , Psychotria elata , Psychotria eurycarpa , Palicourea guianensis , Psychotria horizontalis , Psychotria lamarinensis , Psychotria pubescens , Psychotria racemosa , Psychotria microdon , Psychotria nervosa , Psychotria officinalis , Psychotria pittieri , Psychotria valerioi , Rudgea cornifolia , Rudgea reducticalyx , Spermacoce exilis , Vochysia guatemalensis .

Representatives of the brackish wasps (Braconidae) like Meteorus congregatus parasitize on the larvae.

The pupil rest lasts 17 to 35 days.

Systematics

Synonyms

  • Sphinx sagittata Goeze, 1780
  • Sphinx butus Fabricius, 1787

Subspecies

The type locality of the nominate subspecies is Jamaica.

  • Xylophanes chiron chiron Drury, 1771
  • Xylophanes chiron nechus Cramer, 1777
  • Xylophanes chiron lucianus Rothschild & Jordan 1906

  • Xylophanes chiron nechus ♂

  • Xylophanes chiron nechus ♂ △

  • Xylophanes chiron nechus ♀

  • Xylophanes chiron nechus ♀ △

  • Xylophanes chiron cubanus ♂

  • Xylophanes chiron cubanus ♂ △

  • Xylophanes chiron lucianus ♂

  • Xylophanes chiron lucianus ♂ △

literature

  • VO Becker, SE Miller: The large moths of Guana Islands: A survey of efficient colonizers (Sphingidae, Notodontidae, Noctuidae, Arctiidae, Geometridae, Hyblaeidae, Cossidae). Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society 56 (1), 2002, 9-14

Web links

Commons : Xylophanes chiron  - Collection of images, videos and audio files