Rustic Sphinx Moth Facts

The rustic sphinx manduca rustica is a moth in the same genus as the tobaccofly tobacco hornworm and the tomato hornworm these moths are moderately large wing span from 3 1 2 to almost 6 inches with heavy bodies and are usually nocturnal feeding late at night.

Rustic sphinx moth facts.

The moths in this family are called hawkmoths and the caterpillars are often referred to as hornworms due to the horn shaped protuberance found on their posterior end wagner 2010. This striking mammoth sized moth is a member of the sphinx family. Dear basil lady this is the caterpillar of a sphinx moth in the family sphingidae known as a hornworm. Hairy legs add to its charm.

It is found in the southern parts of the united states straying into the northern. The pupa of a hornworm aka rustic sphinx. I am found worldwide. The map below showcases in blue the states and territories of north america where the rustic sphinx moth may be found but is not limited to.

What i look like. Rustic sphinx manduca rustica fabricius 1775 family. We depend on donations to keep butterflies and moths of north america online and freely available. It looks to us like a rustic sphinx manduca rustica and bill oehlke s excellent website has photos of the caterpillar as well as the other stages of metamorphosis.

The features that lead us to believe your caterpillar is a rustic sphinx are the numerous white nodules on top of the. The species was first described by johan christian fabricius in 1775. This sort of data can be useful in seeing concentrations of a particular species over the continent as well as revealing possible migratory patterns over a species given lifespan. As a caterpillar i am green and.

As an adult moth i drink nectar from flowers. As a caterpillar i eat the leaves and stems of plants. If everyone who uses this resource gives a small amount we could cover our ongoing costs develop new features and upgrade the system. Manduca rustica the rustic sphinx is a moth in the sphingidae family figures 1 and 2 the moths in this family are called hawkmoths and the caterpillars are often referred to as hornworms due to the horn shaped protuberance found on their posterior end wagner 2010.

Manduca rustica the rustic sphinx is a moth in the sphingidae family figures 1 and 2. I primarily hide during the day and emerge at dusk or during the early morning hours. Rustic sphinx moths are mottled and zig zagged with black and white or very dark brown and white markings except for three. The mottled coloration if looked at closely reveals a zigzag pattern crossing the body from left to.

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. Rustic sphinx moth caterpillar is no danger to tree by peter l.