Rustic sphinx facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Rustic sphinx
Conservation status
Secure (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Synonyms
Sphinx rustica Fabricius, 1775 Sphinx chionanthi J. E. Smith, 1797 Protoparce nigrita Clark, 1926 Protoparce postscripta Clark, 1926 Protoparce rustica auriflua Gehlen, 1930 Phlegethontius rustica harterti Rothschild, 1894 Protoparce rustica calapagensis Holland, 1889 Phlegethontius rustica cortesi Cary, 1963 Protoparce rustica cubana Wood, 1915 Protoparce rustica dominicana Gehlen, 1928

The rustic sphinx (scientific name: Manduca rustica) is a type of moth. It belongs to the Sphingidae family, which are often called sphinx moths or hawk-moths. A scientist named Johan Christian Fabricius first described this species in 1775.

Where the Rustic Sphinx Lives

You can find the rustic sphinx moth in the southern parts of the United States. Sometimes, it even flies up into the northern United States. From there, it lives southward through Mexico, Central America, and all the way down to Uruguay in South America.

What the Rustic Sphinx Looks Like

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  This is a male rustic sphinx moth seen from above.

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  This is the same male moth, but seen from below.

Life and Habitat

The young rustic sphinx moths, called larvae or caterpillars, eat leaves from different plants. They especially like Jasminum and Bignonia plants. They also feed on plants from families like Verbenaceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, and Boraginaceae.

This moth is very common and can live in many different places. You can find it in rainforests, deserts, and even in cities or areas where people have changed the land. It can survive by eating many kinds of plants, both native and those brought from other places.

Different Types of Rustic Sphinx Moths

Within the rustic sphinx species, there are a few different types, called subspecies. These subspecies often live in specific areas:

• Manduca rustica cortesi is found in Mexico.
• Manduca rustica cubana lives in Cuba and Jamaica.
• Manduca rustica calapagensis is found on the Galápagos Islands.
• Manduca rustica harterti lives in the Lesser Antilles, which include islands like Bonaire and St. Lucia.
• The main type, Manduca rustica rustica, is found across the Americas.

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  This is a female Manduca rustica calapagensis from above.

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  This is the same female Manduca rustica calapagensis from below.

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  A male Manduca rustica cubana seen from above.

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  A male Manduca rustica cubana seen from below.

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  Manduca rustica harterti from above.

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  Manduca rustica harterti from below.

Images for kids

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  Female rustic sphinx moth.

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  You can see how different rustic sphinx moths can look.

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  A rustic sphinx caterpillar (larva).

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  An adult rustic sphinx moth.

See also

In Spanish: Manduca rustica para niños