Hodges#7841

Pachylia ficus

Classification

Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Hexapoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Superfamily: Bombycoidea
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Tribe: Dilophonotini
Genus: Pachylia
Species: ficus

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Pachylia ficus: //pəˈkɪliə ˈfaɪkəs//

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, also known as the fig sphinx, is a moth in the family Sphingidae. It is characterized by its orange-brown wings and varied larval coloration. It has a wide distribution from South America to the southern United States, with several life cycles per year in warm regions. The moth plays a role in pollination and has important ecological relationships with its host plants.

Physical Characteristics

Wingspan of 4 3/8 – 5 1/2 inches (110–140 mm). Forewing upperside is orangish brown with a paler patch along the costa at the tip. Hindwing upperside is orange to orangish brown with a black outer border, a black median band, and a white spot on the outer margin near the body. Caterpillars can vary widely in coloration, may be green with an orange back prior to pupation, and unusual diagonal stripes may be present.

Identification Tips

Look for orangish-brown forewings and prominent orange hindwings. The caterpillar's diagonal stripes are unusual for sphinx moths.

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical areas, particularly in proximity to host plants like fig species and various flowering plants.

Distribution

From the northern tip of South America (Uruguay) through Central America to the southern tip of the United States; strays into Arizona and Texas.

Diet

Adults feed on the nectar of flowers, including Asystasia gangetica and the ghost orchid (Dendrophylax lindenii). Caterpillars feed on various species of fig (Ficus) and occasionally on mango (Artocarpus integrifolius).

Life Cycle

Several generations per year in tropical regions. Adults recorded at different times of year depending on the region (February, September, and November in Brazil, and June in Panama).

Reproduction

Pupation occurs in cocoons spun in leaf litter.

Ecosystem Role

Pollinates various flowers, including endangered species like the ghost orchid.