Nyceryx riscus

Nyceryx riscus is a moth of the family Sphingidae.

Nyceryx riscus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Nyceryx
Species:
N. riscus
Binomial name
Nyceryx riscus
(Schaus, 1890)[1]
Synonyms

Distribution

It is found from Belize and Mexico to Costa Rica and further south to Bolivia and Argentina.[2]

Description

The wingspan is 50–58 mm. It is similar to Nyceryx stuarti but smaller and paler. There is an indistinct, grey-centred discal spot and a conspicuous black dot distal of it towards the costa on the forewing upperside.

  • Male dorsal
    (coll.MHNT)
  • Male ventral
    (coll.MHNT)
  • Female dorsal
    (coll.MHNT)
  • Female ventral
    (coll.MHNT)

Biology

Adults are probably on wing year round.

The larvae feed on mature leaves of Xylophragma seemannianum. They have a solid green tail horn with well-developed bumps. The body is a yellowish or pale green with pale yellow lateral diagonal slashes. The head is pale green with a trace of blue wash.

References
  1. "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. Archived from the original on 2012-11-11. Retrieved 2011-10-19.
  2. "Silkmoths". Silkmoths.bizland.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-10. Retrieved 2011-10-19.


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