Erinnyis ello

Linnaeus, 1758

ello sphinx

Erinnyis ello, the ello sphinx, is a sphingid distributed from Argentina through Central America to the United States. The was first described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758. It is a significant agricultural pest, particularly of cassava, and has been extensively studied for its relationships. Two are recognized: E. e. ello throughout the Americas and E. e. encantada to the Galápagos Islands.

Erinnyis ello ello BMNHE273248 male un by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.Erinnyis ello larva by Frank Peairs, Colorado State University, United States. Used under a CC BY 3.0 us license.Erinnyis ello ello BMNHE273248 male up by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Erinnyis ello: /eˈrɪnˌnɪɪs ˈɛ.loʊ/

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Identification

Medium to large sphinx moth with robust body and narrow, pointed forewings typical of the Sphingidae. Specific diagnostic features for distinguishing E. ello from such as E. alope are not provided in available sources.

Images

Distribution

Widespread in the Americas from Argentina north through Central America and the Caribbean to the United States, reaching as far north as Nevada. Present in Canada (Ontario), throughout the eastern and central United States, and across South America including Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and the Galápagos Islands.

Diet

Larvae feed primarily on cassava (Manihot esculenta). Also recorded on rubber (Hevea brasiliensis), pawpaw (Carica papaya), and poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima).

Host Associations

  • Manihot esculenta - primary larval plantcassava
  • Hevea brasiliensis - larval plantrubber
  • Carica papaya - larval plantpawpaw
  • Euphorbia pulcherrima - larval plantpoinsettia
  • Microplitis figueresi - braconid parasitizing larvae
  • Telenomus dilophonotae - scelionid parasitizing
  • Tetrastichus howardi - eulophid parasitizing pupae
  • Trichogramma marandobai -
  • Trichogramma manicobai -

Life Cycle

Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Pupae are parasitized by Tetrastichus howardi with reported rates of 64% and development from egg to adult in approximately 20 days at 25°C.

Ecological Role

Significant herbivore in agricultural and natural ; serves as for diverse including , larval, and pupal parasitoids.

Human Relevance

Major pest of cassava in the Neotropics. Subject of research targeting for .

Similar Taxa

  • Erinnyis alopeCongeneric with overlapping distribution and similar ; both are important agricultural pests studied together for control methods
  • Erinnyis ello encantada to Galápagos Islands; distinguished by geographic isolation and presumably derived morphological features

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Sources and further reading