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Digital Guide to Moth Identification

Sphingidae
890092 – 7778   Manduca rustica (Fabricius, 1775)
             Rustic Sphinx

© Ken Childs
Distribution: Caution: A single range map dot for a Canadian province may represent records without specific location data.
Manduca rustica is a southern species, resident from Virginia to south Florida, and west through Arkansas and Texas to New Mexico, southern Arizona and southern California. It strays northward to Maine, New York and Quebec.
Seasonality
and Size:
Adults fly from May-Nov. in Florida and South Carolina, June-Nov. in Mississippi and July-Oct. in Arkansas. Glaser records them as a southern migrant only from the Coastal Plain of Maryland between 26 June and 26 September. Wingspan 87 - 150 mm.
Larva and
Host Plants:
The larva is a green "hornworm". There are numerous white nodules on the dorsal surface and seven pairs of oblique blue-grey lateral stripes. The host plants are bignonia, jasmine, fringe-tree and members of the Verbenaceae and Boraginaceae families.
Description/
Field Marks:
  • three pairs of yellow spots on the abdomen.
  • forewing yellowish-brown to deep chocolate brown.
  • zigzag black and white lines at the base, in the am. and lower median areas, and after the pm. line.
  • Similar Species:
    • The Pawpaw Sphinx, Dolba hyloeus, is quite similar but much smaller, with a wingspan of 50 - 68 mm.
    • Pinned specimens of related species. (Hint: select View by Region on the related species page.)
    Synonymy: Sphinx rustica Fabricius, 1775
    Protoparce auriflua Gehlen, 1930
    Sphinx chionanthi Smith, 1797
    Protoparce galapagensis Holland, 1889
    Phlegethontius harterti Rothschild, 1894
    Protoparce nigrita Rothschild & Jordan, 1903
    Protoparce postscripta Clark, 1926
    References
    • Barcode of Life (BOLD) - Caution: Some specimens shown may not be sequenced. DNA barcode provides evidence of relatedness not proof of identification.
    • Covell Field Guide p.32; Pl. 3(8, male).
    • Hall et al., 2021. The Moths of North Carolina - website (identification, habitats and life history)
    • Hodges, R. W., 1971. Moths of America North of Mexico, Fascicle 21:p. 33; pl. 1.5. order or free PDF
    • Powell, J. A. & P. A. Opler, 2009. Moths of Western North America, Pl. 40.9m; p. 244. Book Review and ordering
    • Species Page at Bill Oehlke's moth website - Manduca rustica
    • Species Page at BugGuide.Net
    • Species Page at Mass Moths
    • Species page at Moths of North Dakota.
    • Tuttle, J. P., 2007. Hawk Moths of North America: p. 51; pl. 8.7.
    • Wagner, D. L., (2005). Caterpillars of Eastern North America, p. 249.
    Manduca rustica
    © Bob Patterson
    Manduca rustica
    © Andy Wraithmell
    Manduca rustica
    © Jason Roberts
    Manduca rustica
    © Mark de Silva
    Manduca rustica
    120mm – © Jim Vargo
    Manduca rustica
    LG – © Maury Heiman
    Manduca rustica
    © Ken Childs LG

    Manduca rustica
    © Brody J. Thomassen LG
    on Callicarpa americana
    Manduca rustica
    © Brody J. Thomassen LG
    on Callicarpa americana
    Manduca rustica
    © Richard Crook LG

    Manduca rustica
    © Randy Hardy LG
    on ash
    Manduca rustica
    © Valerie G. Bugh

    Manduca rustica
    © Ken Childs LG


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