Moths of
the Amazon and Andes
Pluto Sphinx
Madoryx plutonius
HÜBNER, 1822
Family - SPHINGIDAE
subfamily -
MACROGLOSSINAE
Tribe -
introduction
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habitats |
lifecycle |
adult behaviour
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Madoryx plutonius,
Rio Madre de Dios, 400m, Peru |
Introduction
There
are 4 species in the genus
Madoryx,
which is closely allied to
Hemeroplanes
and
Callionima,
all 3 genera being recognised by the "keel" at the tip of the abdomen, and by
the presence of a silver mark in the discal
cell of the forewings. In
Madoryx
this is triangular, whereas in
Hemeroplanes
it forms a long streak, and in
Callionima
it is shaped like a tobacco pipe.
Madoryx
species are
distributed variously from Florida to Bolivia.
Madoryx plutonius
is found from Mexico to Bolivia and southern Brazil.
Habitats
This species occurs in primary and secondary rainforest at altitudes between sea
level and about 1200m.
Lifecycle
The caterpillar is similar in appearance to that of a
Geometrid, with reduced prolegs and enlarged flattened anal claspers. When young
it has a long thin horn at the tail end, which reduces to a stubby cone by the
final instar. It rest with it's body arched.
The pupa is deep glossy
brown and has orange markings on the abdomen.
Adult behaviour
The disruptive pattern of the wings enables the moth to blend
perfectly amongst the twigs and leaf litter where it rests during
daylight hours. It flies from dusk to midnight or thereabouts, and
comes readily to tungsten, fluorescent or mercury vapour lighting.
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