Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863
Eumorpha typhon
This record describes Eumorpha typhon (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
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Eumorpha
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
AZ to C. Amer. (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
On the wing from June-August in Southern Arizona
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on Grape - Vitis spp. (Vitaceae)
Life History
Larvae occur in both green and dark brown form . They pupate in shallow soil.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Probably from Typhon (Greek τυφων), the Father of All Monsters in Greek mythology(including the Sphinx)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Eumorpha typhon. 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 Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Jason D. Roberts; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , Mike Quinn , teakh
Frequently Asked Questions About Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863
How big is Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863?
Wingspan: 5.7 - 6.4 cm
Where is Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863 found?
Range: AZ to C. Amer. (MPG)
What does Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863 eat?
The diet of the Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863 includes Larvae feed on Grape - Vitis spp. (Vitaceae).
When is Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863 active?
Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863: seasonal activity - On the wing from June-August in Southern Arizona.
What is the life cycle of a Typhon Sphinx - Hodges#7863?
Larvae occur in both green and dark brown form . They pupate in shallow soil.