Very small Sphingidae?

[Fernando]

Dear people,

I just catched this (apparently a female) in San Gabriel Mixtepec, Oaxaca. Not 100% sure if it's a Sphingidae, but at least it looks like one! But look at the size, I've never seen a Sphingidae so small. That's why I'm not sure.

Here are some pictures:





Any idea of the exact species? Is it worth trying to make it lay eggs?

Thanks in advance.

[oehlkew]

Fernando,
It is either Cautethia spuria or Cautethia yucatana. It may need feeding to get it to lay eggs. It might even need to be caged over host plant for larvae with nectar source inside cage.
Larvae of spruia feed on Coutarea hexandra, Chiococca alba and Chiococca pachyphylla and probably other species of the Rubiaceae family.
Larvae of yucatana feed on Chiococca alba and probably other species of the Rubiaceae family.
Yes, it is a Sphingidae genus of small species.

Bill Oehlke

[oehlkew]

I cannot say for sure that it is a female, as both males and females have fairly stout bodies.
Hope you will share images of Saturniidae that you encounter. Some of the recently described species are from that area in Mexico.
Bill Oehlke

[Fernando]

Dear Bill,

Thanks for the answer.

I already fed it (water + honey). Now that I know the hostplants, I'll see if I can find any and make it to lay eggs (in the case it's actually a female).

As for Saturniidae, I have found Automerises, Arsenuras, Hyperchirias, Molippas, Citheronias, Paradirphias, etc., etc. Sadly, I can't share pictures with you as the internet here is insanelly slow (it took like 15 minutes to upload both pictures in the first post). But I will when I come back home.