The list should be fairly reliable, however, as it is from Pierre
Schmit's Liste Systématique for the Dominican Republic.
If you have corrections to offer, please contact Although I believe these "tribal"
checklists contain only species within Puerto Rico,
there are probably some omissions, and there may be a few improper
entries.
Bill Oehlke at
oehlkew@islandtelecom.com.
Pseudosphinx tetrio, Puerto Rico, courtesy of Brian M. Irish.
Brian writes, "I found many of them devouring a purple allamanda and also on a large tree (Bombaceae) on the USDA Tropical Agricultural Research Station grounds in Mayaguez, west coast of Puerto Rico."
Brian M. Irish, Horticulturist/Genetecist, Tropical Agricultural Research Station, Mayaguez, PR 00680
Pseudosphinx tetrio, Luquillo, Puerto Rico, courtesy of Ruby Rodriguez.
Ruby writes, "We have these in our front yard in Luquillo, northeast coast of Puerto Rico, all the time feeding. About every other month they clean one of my flowered trees (Plumeria cujete) bare. Then they disappear and reappear once the tree flourishes again. I always wanted to know what they were, so your site has very helpful. I hope you enjoy the pictures."
Pseudosphinx tetrio larva, San Juan, north central coastal PR,
March 19, 2008, courtesy of Eric Johnson.
However, a large number of them can defoliate your trees.
Mature Sphingidae larvae leave the host plant and seek out soft earth where they can excavate a subterranean chmber in which to pupate.
I think Pseudosphinx tetrio is probably a very common species in Peurto Rico, based on the numerous sighting reports I have received. Maybe it is just the very large size and striking colouration (a warning to birds: toxic if eaten) that gets them attention.
Pseudosphinx tetrio, fifth instar, Puerto Rico,
July 24, 2011, courtesy of Yanira Lavergne.
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