Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880
Euproserpinus phaeton
This record describes Euproserpinus phaeton (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The revised 1868 redescription of this species by Grote & Robinson is here (and their original 1865 description is here ). Caterpillar ref image: Mating pair ref image: Adults are diurnal .
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Euproserpinus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern California and southwestern Arizona to Baja California. , , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
Seasonal Activity
Adults are most common from February to April. (MPG)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larval host plants include members of Camissonia and Oenothera in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). ( 5 ) Comstock & Dammers (1934) stated that Hulbirt had recorded larvae on Camissonia (Oenothera) bistorta (Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray) P.H. Raven.
Life History
Comstock & Dammers (1934) description of the life cycle is available online in the "Print references" section below.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Euproserpinus phaeton. 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 Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Aaron Schusteff
Frequently Asked Questions About Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880
What is Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880?
Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880 (Euproserpinus phaeton) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880?
Wingspan 3.2 - 4.2 cm. Last instar length 30 mm.
How do you identify Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880?
The revised 1868 redescription of this species by Grote & Robinson is here (and their original 1865 description is here ). Caterpillar ref image: Mating pair ref image:
Where is Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880 found?
Range: Southern California and southwestern Arizona to Baja California. , , Moth Photographers Group - large map with some distribution data.
What does Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880 eat?
The diet of the Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880 includes Larval host plants include members of Camissonia and Oenothera in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae). ( 5 ) Comstock & Dammers (1934) stated that Hulbirt had recorded larvae on Camissonia (Oenothera) bistorta (Nutt. ex Torr. & A. Gray) P.H. Raven..
When is Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880 active?
Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880: seasonal activity - Adults are most common from February to April. (MPG).
What is the life cycle of a Phaeton Primrose Sphinx - Hodges#7880?
Comstock & Dammers (1934) description of the life cycle is available online in the Print references section below.