Rustic Sphinx (Manduca rustica) (Fabricius, 1775) |
Synonyms: Sphinx rustica, Protoparce nigrita, Protoparce postscripta |
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Manduca rustica is widely distributed in the Americas, from the southern United States to Uruguay. It occurs in varied habitats from tropical forests to deserts, often in disturbed areas. A large sphinx; wingspan 87-150 mm. The forewing is yellowish brown to dark brown with zigzagged black and white lines. The abdomen has 3 pairs of yellow spots. Adults drink nectar from deep-throated flowers, including Ipomoea and Petunia spp. The larvae feed on many species of plants of the Asteraceae, Bignoniaceae, Boraginaceae, Convolvulaceae, Lamiaceae, Oleaceae, Verbenaceae, etc.