Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860
Eumorpha intermedia
This record describes Eumorpha intermedia (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brou revised description is available in PDF. Eumorpha intermedia is the smallest of the three species in North America. The subterminal line is scalloped compared to just slightly waved in Eumorpha pandorus .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Eumorpha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Heppner (2003) reported the ranged to include North Carolina to Florida ( 5 ) , Arkansas to Texas. ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most often reported from April to October. ( 4 ) Heppner (2003) reported January, April to May, July to September in Florida. ( 6 )
Diet and Behavior
Diet: The adults are nectar feeders. The larvae are known to feed on Ampelopsis arborea (L.) Koehne (peppervine). ( 3 ) Heppner (2003) listed several probable hosts of the Vitaceae family. ( 6 ) Ampelopsis sp. Cissus species including C. sicyoides L. (princess vine). Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. (Virginia creeper). Vitis species including V. vinifera L. (grape).
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eumorpha intermedia. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860
What is Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860?
Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860 (Eumorpha intermedia) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860?
Brou reported the forewing average length. ♂ 40 mm. (range: 38-41 mm). ♀ 44 mm. (range: 43-47 mm).
How do you identify Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860?
Brou revised description is available in PDF. Eumorpha intermedia is the smallest of the three species in North America. The subterminal line is scalloped compared to just slightly waved in Eumorpha pandorus .
Where is Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860 found?
Range: Heppner (2003) reported the ranged to include North Carolina to Florida ( 5 ) , Arkansas to Texas. ( 6 ) Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860 eat?
The diet of the Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860 includes The adults are nectar feeders. The larvae are known to feed on Ampelopsis arborea (L.) Koehne (peppervine). ( 3 ) Heppner (2003) listed several probable hosts of the Vitaceae family. ( 6 ) Ampelopsis sp. Cissus species including C. sicyoides L. (princess vine). Parthenocissus quinquefolia (L.) Planch. (Virginia creeper). Vitis species including V. vinifera L. (grape)..
When is Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860 active?
Intermediate Sphinx Moth - Hodges#7860: seasonal activity - Adults are most often reported from April to October. ( 4 ) Heppner (2003) reported January, April to May, July to September in Florida. ( 6 ).