Cissus Sphinx

Scientific Name
Eumorpha triangulum
ROTHSCHILD & JORDAN, 1903
Specie in
Peru
Family
SPHINGIDAE


Cissus Sphinx
Eumorpha triangulum 4th instar larva, Satipo, Peru – Adrian Hoskins

Introduction

The family Sphingidae comprises 200 genera and about 1200 known species worldwide. Eumorpha triangulum has a wide distribution, occurring from Belize and Guatemala to northern Argentina.

Habitats

This species is found in rainforest and cloudforest habitats at altitudes between about 100-1000m.

Eumorpha triangulum 5th instar larva, Satipo, Peru
Eumorpha triangulum 5th instar larva, Satipo, Peru – Adrian Hoskins

Lifecycle

Eumorpha triangulum lays its pale green eggs singly on the foodplants Saurauia and Cissus. In the first instar the caterpillar’s thin anal horn is about half of its body length, but becomes shorter in the later instars. The caterpillar turns pinkish just prior to pupation, and pupates just below the surface of the ground. The long thin pupa is brown, shiny, and has a spiky cremaster.

Adult

The adult moth is patterned in shades of olive-brown, and when at rest resembles a bunch of dead leaves. It has a wingspan of about 100-130mm.

More on this topic

Previous article
Next article
Caterpillars of
Peru
Scientific Name
Eumorpha triangulum
by
ROTHSCHILD & JORDAN, 1903
SuperFamily
BOMBYCOIDEA
Family
SPHINGIDAE
SubFamily
MACROGLOSSINAE
Tribe
PHILAMPELINI

Related Species