DISTRIBUTION:

The Hawaiian Sphinx, subspecies Hyles calida hawaiiensis (Wing span: ) flies only on Hawaii's Big Island.

Jean Marie Cadiou writes, "The difference between H. c. calida and H. c. hawaiiensis is only visible on the hindwing."

In hawaiiensis the hw basal area is orange, while the same area in calida is black.

Hyles calida calida, posed, Kauai, Hawaii, courtesy of Daniel Rubinoff.

FLIGHT TIMES:

ECLOSION:

SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Larvae probably feed on Coprosma elliptica (Rubiaceae) Pilo; Endemic, and on Coprosma kauensis (Rubiaceae) Koi; Endemic.

Those who first published descriptions and assigned scientific names to many insects, simply chose names of biblical or mythological origin without any real descriptive qualities. Their purpose was simply to set a standard for purposes of identification by assigned name. On some occasions, names, mostly of Latin or Greek origin, were chosen to signify a particular character of the genus or of an individual species.

In Greek mythology, Hyles is one of the centaur warriors who fights against the lapiths.

The species name, "calida", is from the Greek feminine name, "Calida", meaning the most beautiful.

The subspecies name, "hawaiiensis", is for the geographical range, Hawaii's Big Island.

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.

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