Manduca rustica, the rustic sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.
Distribution
It is found in the southern parts of the United States (straying into the northern United States at times), southward through
Mexico,
Central America and South America to
Uruguay.
Description
Manduca rustica MHNT CUT 2010 0 68 Palenque Mexico Male dorsal.jpg|Male Manduca rustica rustica, dorsal view
Manduca rustica MHNT CUT 2010 0 68 Palenque Mexico Male ventral.jpg|Male Manduca rustica rustica, ventral view
Biology
The larvae feed on a variety of plants including
Jasminum,
Bignonia and
Chilopsis. Larvae have been recorded on plants from a variety of families, including
Bignoniaceae,
Oleaceae,
Verbenaceae,
Convolvulaceae and
Lamiaceae.
The species is widespread and adaptable, living in varied habitats from to deserts and thriving in urban and disturbed habitat. It can live on many types of native and exotic plants.[ Manduca rustica. NatureServe. 2012.]
Subspecies
-
Manduca rustica cortesi (Cary, 1963) (Mexico)
-
Manduca rustica cubana (Wood, 1915) (Cuba, Jamaica)
-
Manduca rustica calapagensis (Holland, 1889) (Galápagos Islands)
-
Manduca rustica harterti (Rothschild, 1894) (Lesser Antilles, including Bonaire and St. Lucia)
-
Manduca rustica rustica (Americas)
Manduca rustica calapagensis MHNT CUT 2010 0 408 Isla Santa Cruz, Academy Bay Galapagos Ecuador, female dorsal.jpg| Manduca rustica calapagensis, female, dorsal
Manduca rustica calapagensis MHNT CUT 2010 0 408 Isla Santa Cruz, Academy Bay Galapagos Ecuador, female ventral.jpg| Manduca rustica calapagensis, female, ventral
Manduca rustica cubana MHNT CUT 2010 0 408 La Habana Cuba, male dorsal.jpg| Manduca rustica cubana dorsal MHNT
Manduca rustica cubana MHNT CUT 2010 0 408 La Habana Cuba, male ventral.jpg| Manduca rustica cubana ventral MHNT
Manduca rustica harterti MHNT CUT 2010 0 68 Neufchâteau Sainte Marie Guadeloupe dorsal.jpg| Manduca rustica harterti, dorsal view
Manduca rustica harterti MHNT CUT 2010 0 68 Neufchâteau Sainte Marie Guadeloupe ventral.jpg| Manduca rustica harterti, ventral view
==Gallery==
External links
