Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846
Perigonia lusca
This record describes Perigonia lusca (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Rather similar to Enyo lugubris . Note smooth edge to forewing margin. In North America, restricted to South Florida.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Dilophonotini
- Genus
- Perigonia
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Tropical forests and edges
Geographic Range
South Florida into neotropics.
Seasonal Activity
Throughout the year--several flights
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Adults likely take nectar
Life History
Larvae feed on plants in the madder family (Rubiaceae), as well as the holly family (Aquifoliaceae).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: lusca is Latin for "one-eyed, half-blind"
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Perigonia lusca. 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 Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Cotinis; Additional contributions by anitagould , Chuck Entz
Frequently Asked Questions About Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846
What is Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846?
Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846 (Perigonia lusca) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846?
Wingspan 5.5-6.5 cm
How do you identify Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846?
Rather similar to Enyo lugubris . Note smooth edge to forewing margin. In North America, restricted to South Florida.
Where is Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Tropical forests and edges |
| Range | South Florida into neotropics. |
What does Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846 eat?
The diet of the Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846 includes Adults likely take nectar.
When is Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846 active?
Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846: seasonal activity - Throughout the year--several flights.
What is the life cycle of a Half-blind Sphinx - Hodges#7846?
Larvae feed on plants in the madder family (Rubiaceae), as well as the holly family (Aquifoliaceae).