Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834
Erinnyis ello
This record describes Erinnyis ello (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Sexually dimorphic. ♂ ♀ Larva: Horn reduced to a low point, arising from an elevated angular hump. In the last instar, the horn is reduced to a nub. Eyespot over the third thoracic segment is hidden in the resting caterpillar. Ornately banded thoracic and prolegs. Length to 7cm. Erinnyis ello caterpillars come in a seemingly endless variety. The pupa, seemingly aposematic, is shiny black with orange bands and lines. This is quite the commonest of all the hawkmoths of the American tropics, and becomes a perfect drug in collections made by amateur naturalists, who venture into those regions, net in hand.
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
Habitat
Hammocks, orchards and yards.
Geographic Range
Southern Florida and southern Texas. Strays north to Canada. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection locations and dates. Central and South America, including the Galapagos Islands
Seasonal Activity
Breeds year-round in southern Florida and south Texas. Strays north during August and October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded feeding on members of the following plant families: Caricaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Sapotaceae.
Life History
Usually pupates above ground in the leaf litter
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Erinnyis ello. 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 Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Alan Chin Lee; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Matthew Roth , Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , Maury Heiman , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy , teakh
Frequently Asked Questions About Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834
What is Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834?
Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834 (Erinnyis ello) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834?
Wingspan 75-85 mm.
How do you identify Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834?
Sexually dimorphic. ♂ ♀ Larva: Horn reduced to a low point, arising from an elevated angular hump. In the last instar, the horn is reduced to a nub. Eyespot over the third thoracic segment is hidden in the resting caterpillar. Ornately banded thoracic and prolegs. Length to 7cm. Erinnyis ello caterpillars come in a seemingly endless variety. The pupa, seemingly aposematic, is shiny black with orange bands and lines.
Where is Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Hammocks, orchards and yards. |
| Range | Southern Florida and southern Texas. Strays north to Canada. Moth Photographers Group - large map with some collection locations and dates. Central and South America, including the Galapagos Islands |
What does Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834 eat?
The diet of the Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834 includes Recorded feeding on members of the following plant families: Caricaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Myrtaceae, Sapotaceae..
When is Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834 active?
Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834: seasonal activity - Breeds year-round in southern Florida and south Texas. Strays north during August and October..
What is the life cycle of a Ello Sphinx - Hodges#7834?
Usually pupates above ground in the leaf litter