Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840
Phryxus caicus
This record describes Phryxus caicus (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Brown forewing with a tan band along the inner margin and a thin tan streak in the middle of the wing. The hindwing is red-orange with short black bands along the veins at the outer margin. The abdomen has distinct black and tan bands.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Dilophonotini
- Genus
- Phryxus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Southern Arizona and southern Florida. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates.
Seasonal Activity
Several flights per year with adults found year round.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: In Florida larvae have been reported on Mangrove rubber vine (Rhabdadenia biflora)
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Phryxus caicus. 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 Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Maury J. Heiman; Additional contributions by Chuck Entz , marcie oconnor , Randy Hardy
Frequently Asked Questions About Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840
What is Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840?
Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840 (Phryxus caicus) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840?
Wingspan 70-83 mm.
How do you identify Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840?
Brown forewing with a tan band along the inner margin and a thin tan streak in the middle of the wing. The hindwing is red-orange with short black bands along the veins at the outer margin. The abdomen has distinct black and tan bands.
Where is Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840 found?
Range: Southern Arizona and southern Florida. Moth Photographers Group - large range map with some collection dates.
What does Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840 eat?
The diet of the Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840 includes In Florida larvae have been reported on Mangrove rubber vine (Rhabdadenia biflora).
When is Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840 active?
Caicus Sphinx - Hodges#7840: seasonal activity - Several flights per year with adults found year round..