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Updated as per The Hawk Moths of the North America, 2007, James P. Tuttle (Sphinx to Lintneria); April 2009 Updated as per CATE; April 2009 Updated as per personal communication with Derek Bridgehouse; February 8, 2016 Updated as per personal communication with Matthew J. Campbell (oregano, images); September 10 - October 5, 2016 Updated as per personal communication with Michael Van Buskirk (southeastern Arizona); May 20, 2019 |
Lintneria smithi male, southeastern Arizona,
courtesy of Michael D. Van Buskirk.
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Bill Oehlke Contact Information.
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.
TAXONOMY:
Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802 |
Until very recently (Tuttle: The Hawk Moths of North America, 2007), this moth was classified as Sphinx smithi.
Lintneria smithi, West of Pena Blanca, Santa Cruz County, Arizona,
August 3, 1999, courtesy of Derek Bridgehouse.
"Forewing upperside differs from Lintneria xantus in having the pale area that separates the dark apical line from the dark longitudinal pattern posterior to it on the outer margin smaller; no white double chevron midway along hind margin. The pattern more sharply contrasting than in Lintneria lugens, with a larger proportion of pale areas; the pale marginal area broader near the tornus; the area on the hind margin just distal to the subbasal lines paler and more extensive than in Lintneria lugens; fringe more extensively white.
"Forewing underside basal area paler than in Lintneria xantus; the postdiscal band whiter and broader.
"Hindwing upperside with black basal area more extensive than in Lintneria xantus; the postdiscal white band narrower and more sinuate." CATE
Lintneria smithi female, southeastern Arizona,
courtesy of Michael D. Van Buskirk.
Lintneria smithi female, southeastern Arizona,
courtesy of Michael D. Van Buskirk.
Matthew J. Campbell is having some success rearing them on oregano.
Lintneria smithi first instars on oregano,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Lintneria smithi second-third instars on oregano,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Lintneria smithi third instar on oregano,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Lintneria smithi third and fourth instars on oregano,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Lintneria smithi fifth instar on oregano,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Lintneria smithi fifth instar on oregano,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Lintneria smithi fifth instar on oregano,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Lintneria smithi pupae,
courtesy of Matthew J. Campbell.
Although they may be encountered feeding during daylight hours, one is even more likely to discover them feeding in the evening or after dark.
Two of the greatest clues for discovering larvae are stripped foliage and droppings beneath the plant. You might be quite surprised at what will turn up in the evening or after dark in a flashlight assisted search.
It is believed that all "Lintneria larvae will exhibit "a fleshy thoracic dorsal "horn" in the first 4 instars (unique in the Sphingidae of the world to my knowledge) which is replaced by a thoracic dorsal "hump" with a large black patch in the 5th instar." J.A. Tuttle.
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