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 49 - 72 of 171 verified sightings
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
Observation date: Nov 23, 2013
Submitted by: lilylove90
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 24, 2013
Observation date: Jul 19, 2013
Submitted by: SergioRTC
Region: Managua, Nicaragua
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 28, 2013
Observation date: Oct 11, 2013
Submitted by: Dave Patton
Region: Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 15, 2013
Observation date: Sep 30, 2013
Submitted by: Danah
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 12, 2013
Observation date: Jul 21, 2013
Submitted by: peekaboo
Region: Indian River County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 01, 2013
Observation date: Jul 18, 2013
Submitted by: heartbeat85chevy
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jul 21, 2013
Observation date: Jan 18, 2013
Submitted by: Beds For Butterflies
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Feb 11, 2013
Observation date: Nov 30, 2012
Submitted by: Erynne
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Dec 07, 2012
Observation date: Nov 12, 2012
Submitted by: Martin Wolf
Region: St. Lucie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 17, 2012
Observation date: Aug 20, 2012
Submitted by: Martin Wolf
Region: St. Lucie County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Sep 03, 2012
Observation date: Mar 21, 2012
Submitted by: wessrq
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Mar 21, 2012
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