Cautethia grotei

Edwards, 1882

Grote's sphinx

Cautethia grotei, or Grote's sphinx, is a small in the Sphingidae described by Henry Edwards in 1882. It occurs in Florida and throughout the Caribbean islands, with multiple per year in Florida. are known to nectar at flowers including Asystasia gangetica and Dracaena fragrans. Larvae feed on various Rubiaceae .

Cautethia grotei grotei, female, upperside. (USA) Florida, Chokoloskee by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.Cautethia grotei bahamensis, male, underside. Bahamas, New Providence by The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.Cautethia grotei jamaicensis holotype, male, underside. Jamaica, Bluefield by Sphingidae Museum, Pribram. Used under a CC BY 3.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Cautethia grotei: //kaʊˈtɛθiə ˈɡroʊtaɪ//

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Identification

have a wingspan of 28–40 mm. The can be distinguished from other small sphingids by its geographic restriction to Florida and the Caribbean, combined with its specific wing pattern and size range. differentiation exists: nominate C. g. grotei occurs in Florida, Cuba, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and possibly Hispaniola and Jamaica (with strays recorded as far north as New Hampshire), while C. g. apira and C. g. hilaris are restricted to the Cayman Islands.

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Distribution

Florida (USA) and Caribbean islands including Cuba, the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, and possibly Hispaniola and Jamaica. Stray individuals have been recorded as far north as Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and New Hampshire.

Seasonality

Multiple per year occur in Florida, suggesting year-round activity in suitable warm conditions.

Diet

nectar at various flowers, specifically recorded from Asystasia gangetica and Dracaena fragrans. Larvae feed on Rubiaceae : Chiococca alba (milkberry), Erithalis fruticosa (black torch), and Symphoricarpos albus (common snowberry).

Host Associations

  • Chiococca alba - larval plantRubiaceae; milkberry
  • Erithalis fruticosa - larval plantRubiaceae; black torch
  • Symphoricarpos albus - larval plantRubiaceae; common snowberry
  • Asystasia gangetica - nectar source
  • Dracaena fragrans - nectar source

Life Cycle

Multiple per year in Florida. Complete with , larva, pupa, and stages; specific developmental timing not documented.

Similar Taxa

  • Other Cautethia species-level similarity in size and general ; geographic distribution and specific wing patterns separate C. grotei from
  • Other small SphingidaeSimilar size range; C. grotei distinguished by Florida/Caribbean distribution and documented plant associations

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Sources and further reading