Cocytius antaeus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Giant sphinx | |
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| Cocytius antaeus, adult | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Sphingidae |
| Genus: | Cocytius |
| Species: | C. antaeus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cocytius antaeus (Drury, 1773)[1] |
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| Synonyms | |
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The Giant Sphinx (Cocytius antaeus) is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found from Brazil through Central America and into the southern parts of Texas and Florida in the United States.
The wingspan is 126-178 mm. Very rare in North America, it is the only insect in the continent with a long enough proboscis to pollinate the similarly rare Ghost Orchid.
The larvae feed on Annona glabra, Annona reticulata, Annona purpurea, Annona holosericea and Rollinia membranacea.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. http://www.cate-sphingidae.org/taxonomy/Cocytius/antaeus.html. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
- ^ "Silkmoths". Silkmoths.bizland.com. 2011-01-31. http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/cantaeus.htm. Retrieved 2011-11-01.
[edit] External links
- Giant Sphinx Butterflies and Moths of North America
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