Sphinx perelegans

Sphinx perelegans, the elegant sphinx, is a species of hawkmoth. It is native to western North America from British Columbia to Baja California and to New Mexico.

Elegant sphinx
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Lepidoptera
Family:
Sphingidae
Genus:
Sphinx
Species:
S. perelegans
Binomial name
Sphinx perelegans
Henry Edwards, 1874[1]
Synonyms
  • Sphinx vancouverensis Edwards, 1874

The wingspan is 98–110 mm. There is one generation per year in the north with adults on wing in June and July. In California, there is one generation (although there might be a partial second) with adults on wing from April to June and again from August to September.

The adult of this species is a key pollinator of the rare lemon lily (Lilium parryi) in California.[2]

The larvae feed on Arctostaphylos manzanita, Arbutus menziesii, Cercocarpus betuloides and Prunus ilicifolia. In captivity, they will feed on Gaultheria shallon.

References
  1. "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
  2. "Lilium parryi". Center for Plant Conservation. Retrieved 2011-11-01.


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