Subject: Sphinx moth -what species?
Location: Palmetto Bay, FL
January 5, 2017 7:08 pm
I took this photo this afternoon in the breezeway of my condo building . My hands are quite large, so the size of the moth was about 3-5 inches. Can you tell me more about this species?
Signature: Wandering biologist
Dear Wandering biologist,
You Sphinx Moth is a Fig Sphinx, Pachylia ficus, and according to BugGuide: “Several flights throughout the year in the tropics, peninsular Florida, and South Texas.” The food, according to BugGuide, is: “Caterpillar hosts: Various species of fig (Ficus). … Caterpillar also reported on Mango.“
