Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847
Aellopos tantalus
This record describes Aellopos tantalus (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The larval stages aren't well documented, with the first detailed information published in 1980 (see Internet references)
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
Geographic Range
Recorded from New York, and Michigan, but in our area probably established only in southern Florida. Mostly tropical.
Seasonal Activity
Year-round in the tropics
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on plants in the family Rubiaceae, with the best-documented species being Casasia clusiifolia , the Seven-Year Apple. Adults feed on nectar
Life History
The female lays eggs on tender new growth of the hostplant, where the larvae feed until ready to pupate. At that time, they change color from green or brown to dark red and crawl down to the ground, where they build a pupation chamber, made with leaves held together by silk, under a few inches of leaf litter. In the Florida Keys there's no evidence of diapause, though their development slows in cooler weather.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Evidently from Greek Tantalos (Τανταλος), a figure in Greek mythology - but the connection isn't obvious.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aellopos tantalus. 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 Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Chuck Entz; Additional contributions by Abigail Parker , teakh
Frequently Asked Questions About Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847
What is Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847?
Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847 (Aellopos tantalus) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847?
Wingspan: 45 - 57 mm
Where is Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847 found?
Range: Recorded from New York, and Michigan, but in our area probably established only in southern Florida. Mostly tropical.
What does Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847 eat?
The diet of the Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847 includes Larvae feed on plants in the family Rubiaceae, with the best-documented species being Casasia clusiifolia , the Seven-Year Apple. Adults feed on nectar.
When is Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847 active?
Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847: seasonal activity - Year-round in the tropics.
What is the life cycle of a Tantalus Sphinx - Hodges#7847?
The female lays eggs on tender new growth of the hostplant, where the larvae feed until ready to pupate. At that time, they change color from green or brown to dark red and crawl down to the ground, where they build a pupation chamber, made with leaves held together by silk, under a few inches of leaf litter. In the Florida Keys there's no evidence of diapause, though their development slows in cooler weather.