Juanita sphinx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Juanita sphinx |
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The Juanita sphinx (scientific name: Proserpinus juanita) is a type of moth. It belongs to the Sphingidae family, also known as sphinx moths or hawk moths. This moth was first described by a scientist named Herman Strecker in 1877.
You can find the Juanita sphinx moth in many parts of the United States. It lives in areas from North Dakota in the north, all the way south to Arizona. You can also find it east to Missouri and Texas.
What Does It Look Like?
The Juanita sphinx moth is a medium-sized moth. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other when the wings are spread out) is usually between 45 and 64 millimeters. That's about 1.8 to 2.5 inches wide!
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This is what the Juanita sphinx moth looks like from above.
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This is what the Juanita sphinx moth looks like from below.
Life Cycle and Diet
Like all moths, the Juanita sphinx goes through a complete metamorphosis. This means it changes a lot during its life. It starts as an egg, then hatches into a larva (a caterpillar), then becomes a pupa, and finally turns into an adult moth.
What Do Larvae Eat?
The young Juanita sphinx moths, called larvae or caterpillars, love to eat certain plants. They mostly feed on plants from the Onagraceae family. This plant family includes different types of evening primrose. Some of their favorite foods are Oenothera (evening primrose), Gaura, and Epilobium species. These plants provide all the energy the caterpillars need to grow big and strong.
See also
In Spanish: Proserpinus juanita para niños
