Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874
Proserpinus gaurae
This record describes Proserpinus gaurae (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adults of Proserpinus gaurae similar to Proserpinus juanita , though guarae is more reddish than the more green juanita . Also, the hindwing of guarae has subtle to no dark shading on the submarginal edge, while in juanita the same area is consistently dark and well-defined. Rarely reported, though widespread
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Proserpinus
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Edges of forests, disturbed areas, essentially anywhere within range harboring species of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae) (see larval host preferences below).
Geographic Range
very scattered sc US records - Map (MPG) Wide range, though rarely reported. Predominantly southeastern US with records from central/east Texas eastwards through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Northwards, guarae has been reported in the eastern half of Oklahoma, eastern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri.
Seasonal Activity
April-August
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Larvae feed on plants in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae), with reports of larvae feeding on the following genera: Oenothera, Gaura, and Epilobium .
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Proserpinus gaurae. 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 Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874 (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ryan St Laurent; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874
What is Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874?
Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874 (Proserpinus gaurae) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874?
Forewing lenth: 18-22 mm
How do you identify Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874?
Adults of Proserpinus gaurae similar to Proserpinus juanita , though guarae is more reddish than the more green juanita . Also, the hindwing of guarae has subtle to no dark shading on the submarginal edge, while in juanita the same area is consistently dark and well-defined.
Where is Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Edges of forests, disturbed areas, essentially anywhere within range harboring species of the evening primrose family (Onagraceae) (see larval host preferences below). |
| Range | very scattered sc US records - Map (MPG) Wide range, though rarely reported. Predominantly southeastern US with records from central/east Texas eastwards through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and the Florida Panhandle. Northwards, guarae has been reported in the eastern half of Oklahoma, eastern Arkansas and southeastern Missouri. |
What does Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874 eat?
The diet of the Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874 includes Larvae feed on plants in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae), with reports of larvae feeding on the following genera: Oenothera, Gaura, and Epilobium ..
When is Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874 active?
Proud Sphinx - Hodges#7874: seasonal activity - April-August.