- Xylophanes pluto
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Xylophanes pluto Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Sphingidae Genus: Xylophanes Species: X. pluto Binomial name Xylophanes pluto
(Fabricius, 1777)[1]Synonyms - Sphinx pluto Fabricius, 1777
- Sphinx croesus Dalman, 1823
- Calliomma ochracea Walker, 1856
- Oreus thorates Hübner, 1831
The Pluto Sphinx (Xylophanes pluto) is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found from Argentina and Paraguay to Bolivia and then through tropical and subtropical lowlands from Brazil north through Central America (including Belize and Guatemala) to Mexico, the West Indies, southern Florida and southern Texas.[2]
The wingspan is 53-65 mm. The prominent broad chrome-yellow band distinguishes this species from all other Xylophanes species. The thorax is green. The abdomen has a thin medial line, interrupted at the base of each segment by a metallic yellow dot. The lateral lines are also present. The thorax and abdomen are maize-yellow, with metallic yellow scales, a few of which are also found dorso-laterally.
There are multiple generations per year in Florida and Texas. Adults are on wing year round in the tropics.
The larvae feed on Chiococca species, Hamelia patens, Morinda royoc and Erythroxylum species. There are three colour morphs, green, brown, and purplish-brown. The false eyes are conspicuous in the last form. The larvae start feeding at the beginning of dusk and keep feeding throughout the night. During the day they hide at the base of their host plant or in nearby vegetation. They either consume entire leaves or half of a leaf.
References
- ^ "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. https://www.cate-sphingidae.org/taxonomy/Xylophanes/pluto.html. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
- ^ "Silkmoths". Silkmoths.bizland.com. http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/xpluto.htm. Retrieved 2011-10-25.
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