Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Abbot's Sphinx


Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidea
Genus: Sphecodina
Species: S. abbottii

Identifying Characteristics:

- The young larva is white; The mature larva has two different color forms: tan or brown with greenish saddles on each segment or cream or brownish with darker strips along the back and sides.

- it lacks a horn but has an eyelid bump on its last segment

Special Adaptations:

- When disturbed the sphinx trashes its head and for-body from side to side as a protective measure.

- They feed on grape, Virginia creeper, and anpelopsis. It feeds at night.

- During the day, when it is still, the larva's coloration allows it to blend in with bark and vines near the ground.



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