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.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 171 verified sightings
Observation date: Sep 07, 2013
Submitted by: scott2sing
Region: Riverside County, California, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 01, 2022
Observation date: Jan 12, 2012
Submitted by: Sierraherrmann
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Feb 01, 2022
Observation date: Dec 04, 2021
Submitted by: Keybugs
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jan 07, 2022
Observation date: Jul 29, 2021
Submitted by: J_Martineau
Region: Santa Cruz County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: J_Martineau
Verified date: Dec 17, 2021
Observation date: Aug 21, 2021
Submitted by: Allen B
Region: Fentress County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: Nov 25, 2021
Observation date: Sep 09, 2021
Submitted by: Michelle67moore
Region: Mahoning County, Ohio, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 01, 2021
Observation date: Oct 19, 2021
Submitted by: txgearcat
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 26, 2021
Observation date: Dec 03, 2020
Submitted by: tylerkbb
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 04, 2020
Observation date: Aug 15, 2020
Submitted by: Keysgirl
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 16, 2020
Observation date: Sep 04, 2018
Submitted by: Ann Daltilio
Region: Maricopa County, Arizona, United States
Verified by: kellyrichers
Verified date: Aug 11, 2020
Observation date: Sep 30, 2018
Submitted by: James Steen
Region: Harvey County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 19, 2020
Observation date: Sep 30, 2018
Submitted by: James Steen
Region: Harvey County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 19, 2020
Observation date: May 26, 2020
Submitted by: bumblebeefl
Region: Manatee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: May 27, 2020
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
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