Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889
Xylophanes falco
This record describes Xylophanes falco (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult: forewing slender, pointed, with slightly hooked tip and falcate inner margin; upper half orangish-brown, bordered below by dark brown or blackish longitudinal band from base to apex; 3 or 4 dark lines run parallel to outer margin; hindwing pale yellowish at base, with dark median and subterminal bands Larva: thorax brownish-gray with single large black eye having pale perimeter and center; abdomen dark gray to blackish, girdled by many bands of white dots; several large white spots or oblique strips along the side
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Xylophanes
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
oak woodlands and streamsides
Geographic Range
se AZ to w. TX / Mex. to C. Amer. - Map (MPG)
Seasonal Activity
May-Oct in US; all year in the tropics
Diet and Behavior
Diet: larvae feed on Firecrackerbush ( Bouvardia ternifolia [=glaberrima] ) in the madder family (Rubiaceae) adults take nectar from various herbaceous plants, including thistles
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Xylophanes falco. 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 Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889 (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ethan Kistler; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889
What is Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889?
Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889 (Xylophanes falco) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889?
wingspan 70-80 mm
How do you identify Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889?
Adult: forewing slender, pointed, with slightly hooked tip and falcate inner margin; upper half orangish-brown, bordered below by dark brown or blackish longitudinal band from base to apex; 3 or 4 dark lines run parallel to outer margin; hindwing pale yellowish at base, with dark median and subterminal bands Larva: thorax brownish-gray with single large black eye having pale perimeter and center; abdomen dark gray to blackish, girdled by many bands of white dots; several large white spots or oblique strips along the side
Where is Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889 found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | oak woodlands and streamsides |
| Range | se AZ to w. TX / Mex. to C. Amer. - Map (MPG) |
What does Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889 eat?
The diet of the Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889 includes larvae feed on Firecrackerbush ( Bouvardia ternifolia [=glaberrima] ) in the madder family (Rubiaceae) adults take nectar from various herbaceous plants, including thistles.
When is Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889 active?
Falcon Sphinx - Hodges#7889: seasonal activity - May-Oct in US; all year in the tropics.