Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850
Aellopos fadus
This record describes Aellopos fadus (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brown body with a wide white band across the abdomen. Exhibits two forewing spot bands and the post median spot band transverses wing from trailing to leading edge and has parallel double white spots. Lacks dark spot at end of forewing cell. Hindwing has a pale patch on the costa and one on the inner margin.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Dilophonotini
- Genus
- Aellopos
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical lowlands.
Geographic Range
s. TX, s. FL with a few scattered strays much further north / Mex to S. Amer. / W. Indies - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
All year in the tropics; one brood from September-December in Texas, Arkansas, and Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillar- Plants in the madder family (Rubiaceae) including Genipa and Alibertia
Life History
Caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons spun in shallow underground burrows.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Aellopos fadus (Cramer, 1776)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aellopos fadus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cliff Ivy; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , teakh , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850
What is Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850?
Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850 (Aellopos fadus) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850?
WS-2 1/4 - 2 3/4 inches (6.4 - 7 cm)
How do you identify Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850?
Brown body with a wide white band across the abdomen. Exhibits two forewing spot bands and the post median spot band transverses wing from trailing to leading edge and has parallel double white spots. Lacks dark spot at end of forewing cell. Hindwing has a pale patch on the costa and one on the inner margin.
Where is Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical lowlands. |
| Range | s. TX, s. FL with a few scattered strays much further north / Mex to S. Amer. / W. Indies - Map (MPG) |
What does Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850 eat?
The diet of the Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850 includes Caterpillar- Plants in the madder family (Rubiaceae) including Genipa and Alibertia.
When is Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850 active?
Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850: seasonal activity - All year in the tropics; one brood from September-December in Texas, Arkansas, and Florida..
What is the life cycle of a Fadus Sphinx - Hodges#7850?
Caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons spun in shallow underground burrows.