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Common Name(s): Tantalus Day Sphinx
Ecology: Adult description: This is a very small day-flying sphingid with forewings 27-32mm in length (1). Aellopos species are quite tricky to differentiate. All species have the same overall appearance, brown/black forewings with various amounts of white patterning and a thick white abdominal segment. Aellopos tantalus is arguably the easiest to differentiate from the rest, it is much smaller, and has significantly less white blotching than the other species. There are no white markings on the forewing before the submarginal area, which separates it from both Aellopos titan and Aellopos clavipes. There is a faint line that runs from the black discal spot to the lower forewing edge, this line is very faint in comparison to Aellopos titan. The hindwings of this species are totally black with a faint gray upper edge. Larval description: L5: The larva is dark green with 7 large distinct white abdominal bands. The dorsal surface may be primarily white. The last abdominal white streak is quite thick and leads up to the dark horn. There is a thin smooth yellow collar behind the head. All Aellopos larvae have smooth plain green head capsules. Found primarily in South Florida. Host plants: Click here to load this Caspio Cloud Database
Cloud Database by Caspio |
(C) Livan Escudero
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The gallery to the left contains photos of Aellopos tantalus adults. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.
The gallery to the right contains photos of Aellopos tantalus larval and pupal stages. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.
The gallery to the right contains photos of Aellopos tantalus larval and pupal stages. If you have a photo that you would like to submit to us, please contact us.
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