DISTRIBUTION:

Syssphinx molina molpiurica (wingspan: males: 45-65mm; females: 68-88mm) flies in
northwestern Peru: Piura; Tumbes; Lambayeque: Motupe (EL).

Syssphinx molina molpiurica male, Motupe, Lambayeque, Peru,
courtesy of Eric LoPresti, id by Bill Oehlke

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Syssphinx molina molpiurica moths are on the wing in February, April-May-June and November, suggesting at least three broods annually. Moths are usually taken at elevations of 870-2400m.

Syssphinx molina molpiurica male, Piura, Peru, 64mm,
on my home computer only.

Syssphinx molina molpiurica female, Piura, Peru, 88mm,
on my home computer only.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Syssphinx molina molpiurica moths tend to eclose in the evening with scenting and mating occuring the same night.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Syssphinx molina molpiurica females deposit light green eggs either singly or in pairs on hostplant foliage. Eggs are translucent and caterpillar development can be seen through the eggshell. Warm weather results in a very short incubation time of five days. Larvae mature at various rates and have the enlarged thoracic scoli typical of Syssphinx. Silver, metallic markings reflect light at night. Pupation is in a subterranean chamber with eclosions following in as little as two weeks.

Larval Food Plants

It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the anticipated foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

The genus name "Syssphinx" was probably chosen for the similarity of these moths (wing shape and resting position) to moths in the Sphingidae family.

The subspecies name "molpiurica" is indicative of a moth, from Piura, Peru, that is very similar to S. molina.