Ello sphinx
Erinnyis ello (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands. Upperside of female forewing is pale gray with a few dark dots near the outer margin. Upperside of male forewing is dark gray and brown with a black band running from the base to the tip. In both sexes, the hindwing upperside is orange with a wide black border.
Wing Span: 2 15/16 - 3 5/16 inches (7.5 - 8.5 cm).
Life History: Adults begin feeding at dark. Fully-grown caterpillars spin cocoons on the soil surface.
Flight: . Several flights throughout the year in Florida and South Texas. Strays north July-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Papaya (Carica papaya) in the Caricaceae family; various plants in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) including poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima); guava (Psidium species) in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae); also saffron plum (Bumelia angustifolia) in the Sapotaceae.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis).
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical lowlands and foothills.
Range: Resident in Argentina north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to south Florida, Texas, Arizona, southern California, and southern Nevada. Strays northward.
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: Ello sphinx caterpillars can be pests of poinsettias.
Comments: NULL
Pollinator Week was June 20-26, 2022!
Butterflies and moths are accidental pollinators of many flowering plants. While most species do not have special structures to carry pollen, they do brush against pollen and transfer it to other flowers.
Did you know? The Eastern Tailed-Blue (Cupido comyntas) flies close to the ground and uses its short proboscis to probe flowers of wild strawberry, white sweet clover, and other low-lying plants.
Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 158 verified sightings
Observation date: May 18, 2020
Submitted by: Ross Shearer
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 19, 2020
Observation date: Jan 09, 2020
Submitted by: Jenny Damm
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 12, 2020
Observation date: Nov 20, 2019
Submitted by: ggarcia
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 20, 2019
Observation date: Oct 15, 2019
Submitted by: Bleem
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Oct 16, 2019
Observation date: Oct 01, 2019
Submitted by: Nivek Kcaj Dana...
Region: Pasco County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 01, 2019
Observation date: Jul 12, 2016
Submitted by: marley
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 01, 2019
Observation date: Oct 17, 2018
Submitted by: Carmen Ferreiro
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 09, 2018
Observation date: Dec 07, 2012
Submitted by: marley
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 21, 2018
Observation date: Mar 05, 2012
Submitted by: JimConrad
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Oct 26, 2017
Observation date: Aug 14, 2017
Submitted by: Icemage2005
Region: Osceola County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 19, 2017
Observation date: Feb 11, 2016
Submitted by: daviddowns2000
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: May 31, 2017
Observation date: Nov 05, 2016
Submitted by: jeffmci9
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 13, 2016
Observation date: Sep 15, 2015
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Sep 16, 2015
Observation date: Jul 15, 2015
Submitted by: M. Reith
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: M. Reith
Verified date: Sep 05, 2015
Observation date: Jul 23, 2015
Submitted by: Bwack
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 30, 2015
Observation date: Nov 05, 2014
Submitted by: totonka
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 16, 2014
Observation date: Aug 25, 2014
Submitted by: finatic
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Sep 22, 2014
Observation date: Sep 06, 2014
Submitted by: TheButterflyEstates
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 21, 2014
Observation date: Sep 14, 2013
Submitted by: gwladysddu
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 15, 2014
Observation date: Oct 13, 2013
Submitted by: joay70
Region: Duval County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 15, 2014
Observation date: Apr 16, 2014
Submitted by: michaeloberg
Region: Webster County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: jamesdurbin
Verified date: Jun 24, 2014
Observation date: Jun 06, 2014
Submitted by: 3ratties
Region: Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jun 07, 2014
Observation date: Jan 27, 2014
Submitted by: lggrhdbb
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 30, 2014
Observation date: Nov 06, 2013
Submitted by: desertseekernncy
Region: Citrus County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 20, 2014
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