Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849
Aellopos titan
This record describes Aellopos titan (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
Established in Florida Keys and deep southern U.S. Strays north to Maine and North Dakota.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Caterpillars: Plants in the madder family ( Rubiaceae ), including Randia , seven-year apple, and pond apple.
Life History
Several broods throughout the year in the Florida Keys, one brood from June-October elsewhere. Caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons within shallow underground burrows.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Aellopos titan. 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 Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Abigail Parker; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , teakh , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849
How big is Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849?
Wingspan: 55 - 65 mm
Where is Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849 found?
Range: Established in Florida Keys and deep southern U.S. Strays north to Maine and North Dakota.
What does Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849 eat?
The diet of the Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849 includes Caterpillars: Plants in the madder family ( Rubiaceae ), including Randia , seven-year apple, and pond apple..
What is the life cycle of a Titan Sphinx - Hodges#7849?
Several broods throughout the year in the Florida Keys, one brood from June-October elsewhere. Caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons within shallow underground burrows.