Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Titan sphinx
Aellopos titan (Cramer, 1777)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Body is dark brown with a wide white stripe across the abdomen. Wings are dark brown. Forewing upperside has a black spot at the end of the cell and 2 bands of translucent white spots. Hindwing upperside has pale patches along the costa and inner margin.
Wing Span: 2 3/16 - 2 9/16 inches (5.5 - 6.5 cm).
Life History: The Titan sphinx is a strong flier. Caterpillars pupate in loose cocoons within shallow underground burrows.
Flight: . Several broods throughout the year in the Florida Keys, one brood from June-October elsewhere.
Caterpillar Hosts: Seven year apple (Casasia clusiifolia), common buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), and white indigoberry (Randia mitis); all in the madder family (Rubiaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including phlox, lantana, and stoppers.
Habitat: Not reported.
Range: Uruguay and northern Argentina north through Mexico and the West Indies to the Florida Keys. Strays north to Maine, and west to North Dakota and southern Arizona.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: GU - Unable to assign rank due to lack of available information.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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