Rustic Sphinx Moth Caterpillar Food

The insect has black and white markings in zig zag patterns.

Rustic sphinx moth caterpillar food.

This striking mammoth sized moth is a member of the sphinx family. Manduca rustica the rustic sphinx is a moth in the sphingidae family figures 1 and 2. It gets its name because it raises its body from the front just like the sphinx in egypt. We need your help.

Rustic sphinx moth caterpillar has a horn shaped sting on end but it is just for the show. The caterpillars of rustic sphinx moth feed on various ornamentals including gardenia sunflower lantana and ligustrum. The large strong flying moth is beautiful with streamlined wings mottled black cream and rusty brown. Each moth species has its own suite of suitable host plants for example some eat only members of the tobacco tomato potato family.

We depend on donations to keep butterflies and moths of north america online and freely available. A caterpillar of the rustic sphinx moth manduca rustica fabricius feeding on olive. A parasitized hornworm caterpillar of the rustic sphinx moth manduca rustica fabricius with cotesia congregata cocoons emerging larva red arrow and adult wasp. Sphinx moths are medium to large in size with thick bodies and wingspans of 5 inches or more.

Others must eat the leaves of rose family trees such as plum cherry and apple. Adult moths have a pattern of blacks whites and browns across their bodies that helps them blend into the bark of trees as a form of camouflage. The mottled coloration if looked at closely reveals a zigzag pattern crossing the body from left to. The sphingidae are a family of moths lepidoptera commonly known as hawk moths sphinx moths and hornworms.

The rich black and white speckled coloration of the rustic sphinx moth is contained by sharp short white dashes on the edges of its hind wings. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably. Manduca rustica is native to the southeastern united states. If everyone who uses this resource gives a small amount we could cover our ongoing costs develop new features and upgrade the system.

It includes about 1 450 species. The top of the forewing is a dark olive brown with lighter brown on the margin with a narrow tan band along the wingtip to the base and white streaks on the veins. It is best represented in the tropics but species are found in every region. Closely related to the tomato hornworm manduca quinquemaculata the rustic sphinx manduca rustica is less common and generally found in the southern united states.

Hairy legs add to its charm. Buss university of florida.