Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Phaeton primrose sphinx
Euproserpinus phaeton Grote & Robinson, 1865


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Forewing upperside is gray with dark gray at the outer margin and base; median portion of wing may be dark or pale and has only a few dark gray lines. Hindwing upperside is white with a sharp black outer margin.
Wing Span: 1 1/4 - 1 5/8 inches (3.2 - 4.2 cm).
Life History: Adults fly during the day, swiftly and close to the ground. Fully-grown caterpillars pupate at the surface of the soil.
Flight: . One brood from February-April.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various plants in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae).
Adult Food: Probably flower nectar.
Habitat: Dry washes and flat areas in deserts.
Range: Nevada and California south to Baja California Sur.
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
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