Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784
Dolba hyloeus
This record describes Dolba hyloeus (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Looks like a miniature Rustic Sphinx --dark brown to black with white dusting. Rustic Sphinx has orange spots on sides of abdomen, Pawpaw has white spots. These spots are visible only when the wings are spread. Forewing patterns are very similar, but there are subtle differences--see photos and Internet references. Caterpillar is pale/bright green, six white stripes on abdomen--no bands towards head. Spiracles small, black, with white outer ring.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sphinginae
- Tribe
- Sphingini
- Genus
- Dolba
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Typically bottomland forests
Geographic Range
Eastern North America, more common in south
Seasonal Activity
June-September (two broods in south, one in north)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on various trees and shrubs: Hollies-- Ilex , Blueberries-- Vaccinium , Pawpaw-- Asimina , Sweetfern-- Comptonia .
Life History
Larva; larva; adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Probably from Greek hylaios (υλαιος)- "of the woods, wild, savage", though there is also a centaur by that name in Greek mythology
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Dolba hyloeus. 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 Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by anitagould , Chuck Entz , David Ferguson , Robert Lord Zimlich , marcie oconnor , Ken Childs , Steve Morris
Frequently Asked Questions About Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784
What is Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784?
Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784 (Dolba hyloeus) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784?
Wingspan 50 -68 mm
How do you identify Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784?
Looks like a miniature Rustic Sphinx --dark brown to black with white dusting. Rustic Sphinx has orange spots on sides of abdomen, Pawpaw has white spots. These spots are visible only when the wings are spread. Forewing patterns are very similar, but there are subtle differences--see photos and Internet references. Caterpillar is pale/bright green, six white stripes on abdomen--no bands towards head. Spiracles small, black, with white outer ring.
Where is Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Typically bottomland forests |
| Range | Eastern North America, more common in south |
What does Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784 eat?
The diet of the Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784 includes Larvae feed on various trees and shrubs: Hollies-- Ilex , Blueberries-- Vaccinium , Pawpaw-- Asimina , Sweetfern-- Comptonia ..
When is Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784 active?
Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784: seasonal activity - June-September (two broods in south, one in north).
What is the life cycle of a Pawpaw Sphinx - Hodges#7784?
Larva; larva; adult