DISTRIBUTION:

Those moths previously designated as Xylophanes neoptolemus have been divided, based on DNA barcoding results, into three species:

Neoptolemus balcazari flies in Guerrero, Mexico, and possibly into Belize.

Neoptolemus cthulhu flies in Guatemala and south to Costa Rica, and probably throughout most of Central America.

The true Xylophanes neoptolemus moths (approximate wingspan: males: 65-72mm; females: 73-82mm) fly from
Trinidad, Suriname and
French Guiana: Kaw; Regina; Saint-Georges de l'Oyaok; to
Venezuela: Santa Barba; Caracas;
(Suriname is given as the specimen type locality.).

They are also recorded in much of
northwestern Brazil and are probably present in much of South America. Chaerocampa trilineata Walker, 1864, Venezuela, is the same as Xylophanes neoptolemus neoptolemus.

Xylophanes neoptolemus, Camp Caiman, near Kaw, French Guiana,
April 29, 2011, courtesy of Andres Urbas, tentative id by Bill Oehlke.

I favour neoptolemus over loelia for the above moth for the following reasons:
1) strong presence of orange on the tegulae;
2) distinct and wide abdominal lines;
3) pinkish tinge on the forewings;
4) stronger contrasting areas on forewing.

I do not know how consistent those characters are. The specimen might be loelia. Complete view of lower wings or undersides would aid with determination.

This moth is also quite similar to Xylophanes loelia and Xylophanes libya but differs from both by the deeper red coloration of the median band of the hindwing upperside. The mesothorax and metathorax have a pale grey medial band that continues onto the abdomen as a pair of thin lines, enclosing a darker olive-green or brown median line. These three lines more distinct than in Xylophanes loelia and Xylophanes libya, and the underside of wings is more red than in those two species.

The first fw postmedian line is narrow and continuous from inner margin to apex, a little less oblique than in Xylophanes loelia, but more so than in Xylophanes libya. The fourth postmedian line is also narrow and continuous (not formed from as series of vein dots as in Xylophanes libya and Xylophanes loelia). The region between the first and fourth postmedian lines is distinctly yellow, contrasting with the pinkish coloration of the rest of the wing. The black subapical dot is usually very small. The submarginal lines form a sharp angle anterior to M3 (as in Xylophanes libya).

The hw upperside median band is bright red, broader than in Xylophanes loelia and Xylophanes libya, tapering towards and reaching, or almost reaching, the costa. The outer margin of the median band is convex and more distinct than in Xylophanes loelia. The ventral hw am and pm bands are continuous (as in Xylophanes loelia). The marginal band is not interrupted, but is dentate between M2 and M3. There is no marginal spot between Sc+R and Rs. CATE.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Xylophanes neoptolemus adults probably fly all year throughout their range. In French Guiana reports exist for January-February, April, November.

ECLOSION:

Pupae probably wiggle to surface from subterranean chambers or leaf litter just prior to eclosion.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen.

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The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Jean Marie Cadiou writes, "When I say "Xylophanes" in English I pronounce it something like "Zailophanees", with the emphasis on the "o". The French pronounce it differently, something like "Kzeelophaness" with no emphasis, and the Germans yet in a different way..."

"Xylophanes" sounds like it is from Greek mythology.

The species name, "Neoptolemus" is from Greek mythology. Neoptolemus, also called Pyrrhus, was the only son of Achilles and grandson of Peleus. Neoptolemus was a young, cruel and ferocious warrior who later became king of Epirus and was finally murdered in Apollo's temple at Delphi.

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Xylophanes neoptolemus male, Kaw, French Guiana,
on my home computer only.

Xylophanes neoptolemus female, SGO-Regina, French Guiana,
on my home computer only.