Categories

Erinnyis ello dark form ?
Location: Naples, FL
November 22, 2010 11:54 pm
I knew something was eating the leaves on the papaya but I could not see anything during the day. I found this specimen munching on my papaya at 10 PM on 11/22/10. Temperature was 70 F. I think it is a Erinnyis ello dark form but could it be a Erinnyis alope dark form?
Thank you.
Signature: Robert

Probably Alope Sphinx Caterpillar

Hi Robert,
Your Sphinx does look very much like the dark Ello Sphinx Caterpillar on the Sphingidae of the Americas website as well as resembling an image posted to BugGuide.  It feeding on papaya is further evidence that the identification is correct.  According to the Sphingidae of the Americas website, the caterpillar of Erynnyis alope looks quite similar and also feeds on Papaya, but it is not as common in Florida.  We will check with Bill Oehlke to see if he can provide a conclusive identification.

Hi Daniel,
Thank you for you reply.  I have a large “Orange Jasmine” bush that flowers often and profusely. This brings in lots of flying insects and the flying insects attract tropical orb spiders.
I have attached some photos.  You may use any of the photos I have sent to you, my compliments.  If there are numbers in the file name they are the year, month, day.
I live on eight acres, about 8 miles east of Naples, FL.
Regards,
Robert Lenahan

Hi Robert,
We just heard back from Bill Oehlke and he believes your caterpillar is probably Erinnyis alope.  We will probably be posting your image of the unidentified Sphinx Moth as soon as we identify it.

Bill Oehlke Responds
Daniel,
Most likely alope if found on papaya.
Although I also list papaya as a host for ello, Tuttle indicates ello is most often found on poinsettia while alope is most often found on papaya.
Bill Oehlke

0   I like This

Related Posts

• 
  (10/12/2008)
  Ello Sphinx Caterpillar and Emerged Adul...
• 
  (09/11/2009)
  Sphinx Caterpillar, probably Erinnyis el...
• 
  (02/05/2010)
  Sphinx Moth Caterpillar from Haiti: pro...
• 
  (02/28/2010)
  Ello Sphinx Caterpillar, we believe