- Manduca occulta
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Occult Sphinx 
Manduca occulta, adult Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Lepidoptera Family: Sphingidae Genus: Manduca Species: M. occulta Binomial name Manduca occulta
(Rothschild & Jordan, 1903)[1]Synonyms - Protoparce occulta Rothschild & Jordan, 1903
- Protoparce occulta pacifica Mooser, 1940
The Occult Sphinx (Manduca occulta) is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found from Panama north through Central America (including Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica) and Mexico to southern Arizona and on occasion southern Florida.[2]
The wingspan is 105-120 mm. It is similar to Manduca diffissa tropicalis and can be distinguished only by a study of the genitalia. There are brownish black bands on the hindwing underside.
There is one generation per year in Costa Rica with adults on wing from May to June. In Nicaragua, adults have been recorded from July to August and in October. Strays in Florida have been recorded in September. They feed on the nectar of various flowers.
The larvae feed on Cestrum glanduliferum, Cestrum racemosum, Solanum accrescens and Solanum hazenii.
References
- ^ "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. http://www.cate-sphingidae.org/taxonomy/Manduca/occulta.html. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
- ^ "Silkmoths". Silkmoths.bizland.com. 2010-07-21. http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/mocculta.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
External links
- Occult Sphinx Moths of North America Guide
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