DISTRIBUTION:

Sphingicampa blanchardi or Syssphinx blanchardi (wingspan: males: 46-52mm; females: 58-65mm) is found in thorn forests in southernmost Texas and Mexico. Much of its natural habitat has been destroyed.

Forewing discal spots are white, broad and angular and are often fused.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Syssphinx blanchardi moths fly from March to November in what appear to be continuous broods. The preferred hostplants are Acacia flexicaulis and Gleditsia triacanthos. Texas ebony (Pithecellobium flexicaule) and probably others including Wright's acacia (Acacia wrightii), blackbrush acacia (A. rigidula), guajillo (A. berlandieri,), and soft-leaf mimosa (Mimosa malacophylla) are also reported.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Syssphinx blanchardi moths tend to eclose at night with scenting and mating occuring after 10:00 pm. In the wild, both sexes come in to lights.

Syssphinx blanchardi female, Sabal Palm Grove, Cameron County, Texas,
August 2, 1972, courtesy/copyright of Charles Bordelon and Ed Knudson; W. W. McGuire leg.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

This species pupates under very dry soil in a chamber fashioned with silk and debris. Pupae should not be subjected to freezing temperatures and a light sprinkling of soil once a month will help prevent dessication. Pupae which have been chilled will hold over for four to six weeks.

Syssphinx blanchardi, Santa Anna, NW Hidalgo County, Texas, courtesy of Jim Tuttle.

Larval Food Plants

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

Acacia angustissima Acacia farnesiana Acacia flexicaulis Chloroleucon ebano Gleditsia triacanthos Leucana pulverulenta Pithecellobium flexicaule..... Pithecellobium ebano

Prairie acacia Huisache Ebony blackbead Texas ebony Honeylocust Tepejuaje Texas ebony Texas ebony

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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 species name "blanchardi" is honourific for Blanchard.