Cocytius lucifer explained

Cocytius lucifer is a moth of the family Sphingidae first described by Walter Rothschild and Karl Jordan in 1903.[1]

Distribution

It is found in tropical and subtropical lowlands from Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, south through Venezuela to Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Ecuador.[2]

Description

The wingspan is 140–160 mm.

Biology

Adults are on wing year round.

The larvae feed on Annona purpurea and Desmopsis schippii and probably other Annonaceae species. They are clear green and white or blue-green. The prepupa is green with a rose stripe down its back.

The adults pollinate Ruellia humilis (Acanthaceae), Schubertia grandiflora (Asclepiadaceae), Caryocar brasiliensis (Caryocaraceae), Bauhinia holophylla (Fabaceae), Inga vera (Fabaceae), Luehea divaricata (Malvaceae), Guettarda viburnoides (Rubiaceae), Tocoyena formosa (Rubiaceae) and Qualea grandiflora (Vochysiaceae).[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Savela . Markku . Cocytius lucifer (Rothschild & Jordan, 1903) . Lepidoptera and Some Other Life Forms . December 31, 2018.
  2. Web site: Silkmoths . Silkmoths.bizland.com . 2002-09-07 . 2011-11-01.
  3. Web site: Mariposas polinizadoras do cerrado: identificação, distribuição, importância e conservação. - Portal Embrapa . 2023-10-09 . www.embrapa.br . pt.