Nyceryx nictitans nictitans
Updated as per personal communication with Ezequiel Bustos (Shilap revta. lepid. 43 (172) diciembre, 2015, 615-631 eISSN 2340-4078 ISSN 0300-5267; Misiones,
Argentina), January 4, 2016
Updated as per personal communication with Anna and Frank West (Bahia, Brazil, September 1011); April 15, 2022
Updated as per BOLD and Jean Haxaire, April 15, 2022
Nyceryx nictitans
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Nyceryx nictitans nictitans??, Peru, probably ssp saturata,
courtesy of Vladimir Izersky.
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Nyceryx nictitans nictitans, Joinville, Parana, Brasil, courtesy of Jean Haxaire
This site has been created by Bill Oehlke.
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.
TAXONOMY:
Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802
Subfamily: Macroglossinae, Harris, 1839
Tribe: Dilophonotini, Burmeister, 1878
Genus: Nyceryx Boisduval, [1875] ...........
Species: nictitans nictitans Boisduval, [1875]
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DISTRIBUTION:
Nyceryx nictitans nictitans (wingspan: approximately 54-57mm)
flies from
eastern Brazil, the specimen type locality; from Bahia to Parana: Bahia, Sao Paulo, Santa Catarina, Parana, to
northeastern Argentina: Misiones.
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Nyceryx nictitans nictitans, 57mm, Instituto Uiracu, Camacan, Bahia, Brasil,
September, 2011, 800m, courtesy of Anna & Frank West
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Nyceryx nictitans nictitans, 54mm, Parana, Brazil,
courtesy of Jean Haxaire
Immediately distinguished by the hindwing upperside, which has an orange base, a dark brown marginal band of even width as far as CuA2 and the lack of
semitransparent spots.
Underside of abdomen with two thin, black, but distinct lines, occasionally with a third line in the middle.
Forewing upperside with a minute discal spot that has a single white dot on its proximal side.
Hindwing upperside with basal area deep orange, with traces of transverse brown lines, a brown discal spot and a clearly defined outer edge; tornal
area blackish-brown, shaded with grey. CATE
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Nyceryx nictitans nictitans, Santo Antonio do Pinhal, Sao Paulo, Brazil,
courtesy of Jean Haxaire
FLIGHT TIMES:
Moths are probably on the wing in just about every month.
ECLOSION:
Adults eclose, usually within three weeks.
SCENTING AND MATING:
Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen.
EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:
Larvae feed on Aspidosperma macrocarpa
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