Sphecodina abbottii
Encyclopedia
Abbott's sphinx is a moth
of the Sphingidae
family. It lives in eastern North America
.
Adults fly in May-June in the north, but have several generations in the south. The underwings have a strong yellow band and in flight, the moth buzzes, appearing like a bee. At rest, they raise their abdomens and are well camouflaged on tree bark, looking like a broken branch (Wagner, 2005).
Early instars are a pale greenish-white, with at first a horn, but later a brown knob near the hind end. Final instars (75 mm in length) come in two patterns: one has brown bands such that there are ten large pale green spots on the back and an eyespot on the rear. This form may mimic grapes. Others are completely brown, with a wood-grain patterning, and with the rear eyespot. (Wagner 2005) In the final instar the knob looks a lot like a vertebrate eye, down to the white reflection spot. If it is pinched or poked, the larva sqeaks and bites at the attacker (Wagner 2005). Larvae feed on grapes (Vitis) and Ampelopsis.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Sphingidae
Sphingidae
Sphingidae is a family of moths , commonly known as hawk moths, sphinx moths and hornworms, that includes about 1,200 species . It is best represented in the tropics but there are species in every region . They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their rapid,...
family. It lives in eastern North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
.
Adults fly in May-June in the north, but have several generations in the south. The underwings have a strong yellow band and in flight, the moth buzzes, appearing like a bee. At rest, they raise their abdomens and are well camouflaged on tree bark, looking like a broken branch (Wagner, 2005).
Early instars are a pale greenish-white, with at first a horn, but later a brown knob near the hind end. Final instars (75 mm in length) come in two patterns: one has brown bands such that there are ten large pale green spots on the back and an eyespot on the rear. This form may mimic grapes. Others are completely brown, with a wood-grain patterning, and with the rear eyespot. (Wagner 2005) In the final instar the knob looks a lot like a vertebrate eye, down to the white reflection spot. If it is pinched or poked, the larva sqeaks and bites at the attacker (Wagner 2005). Larvae feed on grapes (Vitis) and Ampelopsis.
External links
- Abbott's sphinx Moths of America
- Abbott's sphinx