#sphingidae
pink-spotted hawmoth (Agriuscingulata). Florida, 11/16/21
Found in the southern US and across the neotropics, this species looks very similar to co-occurring sphinx moths in the genus Manduca, but it’s more closely related to several old world species including the famous death’s head moths (Acherontia) than it is to any other sphingid from the Americas. Its caterpillars typically feed on plants in the morning glory family, while the adults nectar on the flowers of those same plants.
moths like this provide an example of a defense strategy called startle coloration- nearly invisible when camouflaged on bark, the moth will flash its bright pink markings if it is found and disturbed, potentially startling a predator long enough for the moth to escape and making it less likely to be found again when it resumes its resting position and ‘disappears’.
Bug of the Day
Farewell little one. I hope you find much honeysuckle to share with your offspring.
Bug of the Day
New hungry friend wants all the shrub honeysuckle!
(snowberry clearwing caterpillar, Hemaris diffinis)
Bug of the Day
Back after a brief hiatus, it’s a fresh BotD! This Abbott’s sphinx (Sphecodina abbottii) came to the light last night and hung out until the wee hours :-).
Bug of the Day
I miss rearing caterpillars!
Hemaris diffinis
Hemaris diffinis - Snowberry clearwing
Family:Sphingidae
My larvae are dummy thicc and the clap of their poo falling on plastic keeps alerting the dog
The Polyphemus poo falling sounded like a soothing hailstorm (I had a lot of them)
August 30, 2019