Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796
Lintneria eremitus
This record describes Lintneria eremitus (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
FW grayish/brown with black dashes and lines. Reniform spot white, sometimes doubled. HW black with two broad white bands, inner band enclosing a black triangle at base of wing . Note the golden hair on the thorax. a the species of eremitus was included in the genus Sphinx until 2007
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sphinginae
- Tribe
- Sphingini
- Genus
- Lintneria
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Moist meadows, fields, gardens.
Geographic Range
Novia Scotia south in mountains to North Carolina, west to Manitoba, Arkansas, rare southward. Distribution spotty.
Seasonal Activity
July-August. One brood in most of range, two broods southward (Missouri).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults take nectar, typically from deep-throated flowers.
Life History
Larvae feed on mint family, Lamiaceae : Bee-balm, Monarda , mints, Mentha , sage, Salvia .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Lintneria eremitus. 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 Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by nebbeetle , Maury Heiman , Robert Lord Zimlich
Frequently Asked Questions About Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796
What is Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796?
Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796 (Lintneria eremitus) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796?
Wingspan 65-75 mm
How do you identify Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796?
FW grayish/brown with black dashes and lines. Reniform spot white, sometimes doubled. HW black with two broad white bands, inner band enclosing a black triangle at base of wing . Note the golden hair on the thorax. a
Where is Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Moist meadows, fields, gardens. |
| Range | Novia Scotia south in mountains to North Carolina, west to Manitoba, Arkansas, rare southward. Distribution spotty. |
What does Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796 eat?
The diet of the Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796 includes Adults take nectar, typically from deep-throated flowers..
When is Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796 active?
Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796: seasonal activity - July-August. One brood in most of range, two broods southward (Missouri)..
What is the life cycle of a Hermit Sphinx - Hodges#7796?
Larvae feed on mint family, Lamiaceae : Bee-balm, Monarda , mints, Mentha , sage, Salvia .