White-lined sphinx | |
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Hyles lineata, adult | |
Hyles lineata, larva | |
Conservation status | |
Not evaluated (IUCN 3.1)
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Class: | Insecta |
Order: | Lepidoptera |
Family: | Sphingidae |
Genus: | Hyles |
Species: | H. lineata |
Binomial name | |
Hyles lineata (Fabricius, 1775)[1] |
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Synonyms | |
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The White-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata) is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It lives from Central America, through the United States and into parts of Canada.
Contents |
The fore wing is dark brown with a tan stripe which extends from the base to the apex. There are also white lines that cover the veins. The black hind wing has a broad pink median band. It has a wingspan of 2 to 3 inches.[2]
The White-lined sphinx may be encountered from April to October.[2]
The moth's range is throughout the United States and extends north into southern Canada and south into Mexico. It can also be found occasionally in the West Indies.[3]
The larva is yellow and black or sometimes lime green and black. Many individuals have a subdorsal stripe. The head, prothoracic shield, and the anal plate are one color either green or orange with small black dots. The horn varies from either yellow or orange and sometimes has a black tip.[4] Larvae burrow into soil to go into chrysallis, where they remain for 2–3 weeks before they emerge as adults.
The adult of this species is a key pollinator of the rare lemon lily (Lilium parryi) in California.[5]
The caterpillars of this species eat: