Florida Rustic Sphinx Moth

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Florida rustic sphinx moth.

Manduca rustica the rustic sphinx is a moth of the family sphingidae the species was first described by johan christian fabricius in 1775. These important evening pollinators are attracted to a wide variety of flowers where they use their long proboscis to feed on nectar. It strays northward to maine new york and quebec. Their darting very fast flight might.

Adult moths have a pattern of blacks whites and browns across their bodies that helps them blend into the bark of trees as a form of camouflage. Strays to maine massachusetts and new york. The caterpillars of rustic sphinx moth feed on various ornamentals including gardenia sunflower lantana and ligustrum. Like other hawkmoths manduca rustica is nocturnal.

A parasitized hornworm caterpillar of the rustic sphinx moth manduca rustica fabricius with cotesia congregata cocoons emerging larva. A caterpillar of the rustic sphinx moth manduca rustica fabricius feeding on olive. Hairy legs add to its charm. The parasitic wasp cotesia congregata has been noted as a natural enemy of the rustic sphinx in florida figure 8 gillett kaufman et al.

Manduca rustica is native to the southeastern united states. Meet the rustic sphinx manduca rustica a native moth of the southeastern united states in the sphingidae family also known as hawkmoths. Virginia to south florida west to arkansas texas southern new mexico arizona and southern california. A parasitized hornworm caterpillar of the rustic sphinx moth manduca rustica fabricius with cotesia congregata cocoons emerging larva red arrow and adult wasp.

South through central america to uruguay. Moth insects found in the state of florida. The rich black and white speckled coloration of the rustic sphinx moth is contained by sharp short white dashes on the edges of its hind wings. Buss university of florida.

The mottled coloration if looked at closely reveals a zigzag pattern crossing the body from left to. 890092 00 7778 manduca rustica rustic sphinx moth fabricius 1775. Deilephila elpenor elephant hawk moth linnaeus 1758 enyo lugubris mournful sphinx linnaeus 1771 erinnyis alope alope sphinx drury 1770.