Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832
Erinnyis alope
This record describes Erinnyis alope (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The caterpillar is brown on the upper side, and pale green on the lower side, the colors being separated by the dark brown interrupted lateral band on either side of the body. On the third segment from the head there is a dark spot relieved by a red ring in the center. The anal horn is quite short. Type Locality: Jamaica
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Dilophonotini
- Genus
- Erinnyis
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Scattered records from AZ-TX, FL. Strays to KS, AR. - BAMONA The insect occurs in southern Florida and ranges southward as far as northern Argentina.
Seasonal Activity
Continuous broods in south Florida
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Jatropha , Carica papaya and Allamanda .
Life History
Life cycle images: larva; older larva; pre-pupal larva; pupa; adult
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Perhaps from Greek Alope (Αλοπη), a town mentioned in the Iliad among the places ruled by Achilles (Illiad 2, line 682).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Erinnyis alope. 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 Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Troy Bartlett; Additional contributions by Matthew Roth , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , teakh
Frequently Asked Questions About Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832
What is Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832?
Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832 (Erinnyis alope) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832?
3 1/4 - 3 15/16 inches (7.8 - 10 cm) Wingspan
How do you identify Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832?
The caterpillar is brown on the upper side, and pale green on the lower side, the colors being separated by the dark brown interrupted lateral band on either side of the body. On the third segment from the head there is a dark spot relieved by a red ring in the center. The anal horn is quite short.
Where is Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832 found?
Range: Scattered records from AZ-TX, FL. Strays to KS, AR. - BAMONA The insect occurs in southern Florida and ranges southward as far as northern Argentina.
What does Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832 eat?
The diet of the Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832 includes Larvae feed on Jatropha , Carica papaya and Allamanda ..
When is Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832 active?
Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832: seasonal activity - Continuous broods in south Florida.
What is the life cycle of a Alope Sphinx - Hodges#7832?
Life cycle images: larva; older larva; pre-pupal larva; pupa; adult