Fadus sphinx Aellopos fadus (Cramer, 1776) | Butterflies and Moths of North America

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