Page 443 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION Southern United States, Mexico, and South America
HABITAT Forests and woods, parks, gardens, and dry hillsides
HOST PLANTS Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima), other Euphorbia spp.,
Willow Bustic (Sideroxylon salicifolium), Sa ron Plum

(Bumelia celastrina), and Satinleaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme)
NOTE Subtropical, night-feeding caterpillar that is variably colored
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but generally common

ADULT WINGSPAN
3–3 ⁄ in (76–88 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
1–1 ⁄ in (25–30 mm)
ERINNYIS ELLO
ELLO SPHINX MOTH 441

(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Ello Sphinx Moth caterpillars hatch from eggs laid on the leaves,
stems, and even spines of the host plants. They are solitary in
their, mainly nocturnal, feeding habits, and when inactive can
be found along the midvein on the underside of leaves. The
caterpillars have a slender posterior horn, which becomes
progressively smaller as they mature, and their colors can
vary from green to tan to purplish and brown. They are often
parasitized by tachinid ies and parasitic wasps.

Pupation occurs in a loose cocoon of silk and debris in a shallow
ground indentation. Adults, commonly found in early spring
and the fall, emerge after about three weeks and are often

seen feeding on periwinkle owers. Females “call” males for
mating by releasing pheromones from glands near the tip of
their abdomen. There are one to three generations annually,
depending on location and moisture.

The Ello Sphinx Moth caterpillar is highly
variable in color, with green, dark, and
intermediate forms. One form is dark dorsally
with orange-red, black, and white markings
laterally in the form of dots and dashes. Actual size
The spiracles are white. The posterior horn is
relatively short and sometimes absent. In some
morphs there are eyespots on the anterior end.