Mournful Sphinx Moth (Enyo lugubris)
The mournful sphinx moth is a hawk moth found in the Americas. Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus first described this species in 1771.
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Scientific Classification
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Enyo
- Scientific Name: Enyo lugubris
Description and Identification
Caterpillar
The larvae are green and stout.
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Pupa
Once mature, the larvae pupate in a shallow burrow underneath the soil.
Adult Moth
Sexual Dimorphism: Present but not prominent.
Color and Appearance
When the wings are opened, they appear dark brown, with a big black patch, occupying a major part of the forewing’s outer edge. The area around the forewing even has a pale tan-colored cell spot and a median line running inside it. When the wings are closed, the color remains unchanged, while the patch also remain visible.
Average wingspan: 5 – 6 cm
Flight pattern: Erratic
Season: Year-round in tropical regions; August-November in northern areas.
Egg
Eggs are laid close to the host plant.
Quick Facts
| Distribution | The southern part of North America, including Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, and in Arizona, east to Florida and north to South Carolina in the United States into parts of the neotropics, which include Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Uruguay, Venezuela, and the West Indies |
| Habitat | Forests |
| Lifespan of Adults | Not recorded |
| Host Plants | Different species of grapes |
| Adult Diet | Does not feed |
Did You Know
- There are two sub-species – Enyo lugubris lugubris and Enyo lugubris delanoi.
- Their name mournful is perhaps a derivation of their Latin name lugubris translating to gloomy or sad. They could perhaps be named the same because of their somber colors or drooping posture. However, the exact reason remains unknown.
auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov
auth1.dpr.ncparks.gov
Scientific Classification
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Enyo
- Scientific Name: Enyo lugubris
