#bandedsphinx

Sorry I haven’t posted much lately. Grad school is busy! I hope you accept this gorgeous male Eumorpha fasciatus as consolation. This moth is sometimes known as the Banded Sphinx or Lesser Vine Sphinx. I think it should be called the “hmm it’s kinda boring OH LOOK AT THE HINDWINGS Sphinx” but perhaps that’s too long of a name? Thoughts? You can read more about this species including rearing notes on my website: www.sphingidae.us/Eumorpha-fasciatus #Eumorpha #Eumorphafasciatus #IGClub_butterfly #igcb_mothmonday #Entomology #insects_of_our_world #BandedSphinx #Moth #SphinxMoth #HawkMoth #LesserVineSphinx #Moths #Insect #Lepidoptera https://www.instagram.com/p/B247FEKAO8N/?igshid=1hfdbxxwdh7ua

This is the next instar of Eumorpha fasciatus (Banded Sphinx). This individual is a fourth instar and has magnificent red coloration. The bands along the side are bright white. What's interesting, was that this larva molted into a really gorgeous multi-colored form in it's final instar. It's super interesting how some larvae change their colors multiple times throughout their life. I know I've mentioned it before, but because this is my thesis work, I'll likely mention it several more times. This larva (and a handful of others) were collected for me in Alabama and sent up to my lab. If you live in the Southeastern US and want to help me with my research, shoot me a PM and I can give you some information on how to find the larvae of this species, as well as supply you with shipping labels and permits (remember, it's illegal to ship larvae without permits!) as well as the shipping costs. I rely heavily upon field collected larvae from naturalists, citizen scientists, and the casual observer to complete my project. These moths are not breeding residents in my state, so the more I can get in the lab, the more likely it is I can start a breeding colony. #Sphingidae #SphingidaeUSA #Eumorpha #Eumorphafasciatus #BandedSphinx #Hawkmoths #SphinxMoths #Insects #Caterpillar #GradWork #Projects #Moth #Lepidoptera #Entomology https://www.instagram.com/p/B2ErXY2ABKI/?igshid=1xynzhhte9l7p

Pictured here is the larva of Eumorpha fasciatus (Banded Sphinx). This is a third instar, and it's quite small! The horn is really elegant in this species and curves slightly backward. The bright red splotching along the spiracles will disspate in the next instar and make room for one of 5 really cool patterns or colors. More images of this species will be posted soon, as it's really one of my favorites (I think I've said this about almost everything I've posted... shh don't tell the caterpillars). This species is unusual in the Eumorpha as it feeds exclusively on Onagracea or the Primroses. Most commonly, this moth is encountered on Ludwigia which can be found growing in wet areas. I've encountered fully grown larvae of this species on a mostly submerged plant. The prepupal larva actually will hop off the plant and sometimes swim to shore to pupate. The adults are just stunning too. The range of this moth is quite large, but it's really only a breeding resident in the Southeastern USA and points further south. They do wander up the coast quite frequently and adults have been captured as far north as Maine! #Sphingidae #SphingidaeUSA #Eumorpha #Eumorphafasciatus #BandedSphinx #Hawkmoths #SphinxMoths #Insects #Caterpillar #GradWork #Projects #Moth #Lepidoptera #Entomology https://www.instagram.com/p/B2C1ex1Als3/?igshid=azd5xf1j9jmz

Eumorpha fasciatus (banded Sphinx) larva. These unusual sphingids are non-resident in Massachusetts, but have been known to stray up here. This larva is from Alabama and was photographed for use in my book. #sphingidae #Eumorpha #eumorphafasciatus #bandedsphinx #caterpillar #moth