Pachylia

Pachylia

Classification

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pachylia: /ˈpæk.ɪ.li.ə/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Images

Pachylia ficus BMNHE273284 female un by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
Pachylia ficus BMNHE273283 male up by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
Pachylia ficus BMNHE273283 male un by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.
Pachylia ficus - 14039380894 by Kristof Zyskowski & Yulia Bereshpolova. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Pachylia ficus, Sphingidae. by gailhampshire. Used under a CC BY 2.0 license.
Pachylia ficus BMNHE273284 female up by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Summary

Pachylia ficus, known as the fig sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae found in regions from South America to the southern United States, recognized for its thick body and orange-brown wings. It plays a crucial role as a pollinator for certain plants, including the endangered ghost orchid.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan of 4+3⁄8–5+1⁄2 inches (110–140 mm) with orange-brown wings.

Habitat

Tropical regions, peninsular Florida, and southern Texas.

Distribution

From the northern tip of South America in Uruguay through Central America to the southern tip of the United States, straying into Arizona and Texas.

Diet

Adults feed on the nectar of various flowers, including Asystasia gangetica and the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii).

Life Cycle

Several generations per year in tropical regions. Adults have been recorded in February, September, and November in Brazil and June in Panama.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinates various flowers, including the ghost orchid.

Evolution

First described by Francis Walker in 1856; the name derives from the Greek word for 'thick' or 'stout'.

Tags

  • Pachylia
  • fig sphinx
  • Sphingidae
  • moth
  • pollinator