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