Sphingidae - Show Your Specimens

[leptraps]

These are the largest moths in my collection based on size and body mass. They are Coctyius antaeus, Pseudosphinx tetrio and Manduca rustica, There is a long story about rearing the P. tetrio. I all my years in Florida I never collected an adult of P. tetrio. One of these day I will write it up. It was the first time I ever rear caterpillars in a two 40 Gallon Garbage Containers.

I am sure that some of you guys who collect Neotropical Sphingids can put me to shame! Anyways, here they are!!

[trehopr1]

Are the Cocytius all wild captures from South Florida or did you happen to find a female at some point and raised the rest through to adult?

[leptraps]

Some were collect with BL & MV lights. Some I found Larvae on Pond Apple and raised to adults. The larva were huge.

One amazing thing I learned. A mature larva is huge, 5 inches and bigger. When they drop frass it breaks into little tiny pieces. I think it is a defensive measure to avoid detection by predators. At least 5 out of 6 larvae are parasitized by Tachinid flies or tinny parasitic wasps.

All of the Tetrio were reared. That is a story in itself. I learned one thing real quickly while rearing these two species, they have absolutely enormous appetites. And they make lots of frass.

[leptraps]

I forgot to mention the rather large fly at the bottom of the row of Tetrio. It is a large Tachinid and the last two segments of the abdomen are bright Gold. I was impressed by the gold. A stunning fly. I identified it and the name is on the specimen. If you want the name, let me know and will get.(You just watch, some smart ass is going to make me go get it!)

[jhyatt]

I've always wondered: Pseudosphinx is a monotypical genus -- i.e., P. tertio is the only species in Pseudosphinx. What ever happened to P. unio and segundo? Why'd he start with tertio? Anybody know the etymology of the species name?

Curious,
jh

[Adam Cotton]

John, I think you'll find it's tetrio, not tertio.

Adam.