Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Fadus sphinx
Aellopos fadus (Cramer, 1776)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Body is brown with a wide white band across the abdomen. Upperside of wings is dark brown; forewing has 2 bands of pale spots and lacks a black spot at the end of the cell; hindwing has a pale patch on the costa and one on the inner margin.
Wing Span: 2 1/4 - 2 3/4 inches (6.4 - 7 cm).
Life History: Caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons spun in shallow underground burrows.
Flight: . All year in the tropics; one brood from September-December in Texas, Arkansas, and Florida.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the madder family (Rubiaceae) including Genipa and Alibertia.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including Abelia.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical lowlands.
Range: Paraguay and Argentina north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to south Florida, South Texas, and Arkansas. Strays to Ohio and West Virginia.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
Get your BAMONA Gear!

Hoodies and t-shirts in two designs!


Advertise with us!

Do you have a product or service that you think would interest BAMONA users? If you would like to advertise on this website, contact us by email, or use the contact form and select the "Advertising" category.