Elegant sphinx facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elegant sphinx |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Synonyms | |
|
The Elegant Sphinx (scientific name: Sphinx perelegans) is a type of large, fast-flying moth. It belongs to a family of moths called hawkmoths. These moths are known for their strong flight and often look a bit like hummingbirds.
Contents
Where It Lives
The Elegant Sphinx moth lives in western North America. You can find it from British Columbia in Canada all the way south to Baja California in Mexico. It also lives as far east as New Mexico in the United States.
What It Looks Like
The Elegant Sphinx is a fairly large moth. Its wingspan (the distance from one wingtip to the other) is about 98 to 110 millimeters. That's roughly the length of a standard pen!
-
Sphinx perelegans male, top view
-
Sphinx perelegans male, bottom view
-
Sphinx perelegans female, top view
-
Sphinx perelegans female, bottom view
Life Cycle and Habits
These moths usually have one generation each year in the northern parts of their range. The adult moths are active during June and July.
In California, they might have one full generation and sometimes a partial second one. Adults are seen flying from April to June, and then again from August to September.
Important Pollinator
The adult Elegant Sphinx moth is a very important pollinator for a special flower. It helps pollinate the rare lemon lily (Lilium parryi) in California. This means the moth helps the plant make seeds by carrying pollen from one flower to another.
What Larvae Eat
The young moths, called larvae or caterpillars, eat leaves from several types of plants. They enjoy plants like Arctostaphylos manzanita, Arbutus menziesii, Cercocarpus betuloides, and Prunus ilicifolia. If raised by humans, they can also eat Gaultheria shallon.
