Cocytius antaeus
| Giant sphinx | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Cocytius antaeus, adult | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Sphingidae |
| Genus: | Cocytius |
| Species: | C. antaeus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cocytius antaeus (Drury, 1773)[1] | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
The Giant Sphinx (Cocytius antaeus) is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found from Brazil through Central America and into the southern parts of Texas and Florida in the United States.
The wingspan is 126–178 mm. Very rare in North America, it is the only insect in the continent with a long enough proboscis to pollinate the similarly rare Ghost Orchid.
The larvae feed on Annona glabra, Annona reticulata, Annona purpurea, Annona holosericea and Rollinia membranacea.[2]
References
- ↑ "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
- ↑ "Silkmoths". Silkmoths.bizland.com. 2011-01-31. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
External links
- Giant Sphinx Butterflies and Moths of North America