http://sphingidae.myspecies.info/taxonomy/term/3005
Sphingidae Museum, Czech Republic

DISTRIBUTION:

Xylophanes monzoni, [wingspan: males: mm, females: 78mm // forewing length: males: 41mm; females larger] flies in
Guatemala: Huehuetenango; Baja Verapaz;
Mexico: Chiapas; Yucatan; Quintana Roo;
Belize;
Honduras.

Wiki: "The length of the forewings is about 41 millimetres (1.6 in). It is similar to Xylophanes falco, but generally darker, with a more diffuse pattern and less falcate forewings. Furthermore, the underside of the abdomen is lacking the two longitudinal grey lines. The forewing upperside is similar but the pale brown-beige area basad of the postmedian lines is covered with scattered black scales. The distal median line is almost reaching the discal spot, the basalmost postmedian line is straight and the postmedian and submarginal lines are less conspicuous against the ground colour. The submarginal and marginal bands are both very dark grey, almost black."

FLIGHT TIMES:

Xylophanes monzoni adults fly in November in Guatemala. There are probably additional flight months.

ECLOSION:

Pupae probably wiggle to surface from subterranean chambers just prior to eclosion.

Xylophanes monzoni female, Guatemala,
courtesy of Sphingidae Museum, Czech Republic.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen.

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.

Jean Marie Cadiou writes, "When I say "Xylophanes" in English I pronounce it something like "Zailophanees", with the emphasis on the "o". The French pronounce it differently, something like "Kzeelophaness" with no emphasis, and the Germans yet in a different way..."

In Greek myth, Phanes is the golden winged Primordial Being who was hatched from the shining Cosmic Egg that was the source of the universe. He personifies light emerging from chaos.

"Xylo" is the Greek word for wood.

The specimen type for the genus Xylophanes is Xylophanes anubus. Perhaps ? when Hubner examined that species, the yellow-orange and brown tones of the forewings suggested wings of wood.

The species name "monzoni" is honourific for Jose Monzon.

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