Subject: Sphinx Moth
Date: Apr 29 21:33:39 2000
From: Robert Taylor - taylorrt at email.msn.com


Michelle/Diann/Tweeters

Yes, it do!!

The 'eyed' sphinx is in a separate genus from the
Tomata Sphinx group.

The Tomato Hornworm turns into the Tomato
Sphinx or Six-spotted Sphinx (it's scientific name
is P. sexta. I put "P." for genus because I think it
recently changed -- used to Phlegethontius or some
such name --and I am no longer in the loop for 'bug
stuff' so I hesitate.). There is also a Tobacco Hornworm/Sphinx
(P. quinquemaculata --- Five-spotted) that does
serious harm to tobacco (we need more of these
and less of the other??). And the Death's Head
Hawkmoth/Sphinx is a European species and was
featured on a movie poster "Silence of the Lambs",
I believe.

And to further Diann's comment on the Hummingbird
Sphinx/Hawkmoth, the moth emerges with wings fully
covered in scales, extends and dries its wings that
way and the first time it 'buzzes' its wings the scales
separate from the 'clear' areas and it gains its
clearwing panels. Again, there are a number of species
of 'Clearwing//Hummingbird Hawkmoths. There is
also a family of clearwing moths that mimic wasps
but are harmless except to the plants they bore in!

So, there is more to watch than the dragonflies
and birds out there. Mike Patterson's delving
into the occurrence of hummingbirds around Hooker's
Willow (Salix hookeriana) is another example of
the interrelatedness of biological organisms. He
captured the insects and posted images of the 'flies' from
around the willow flowers. Some of these minute
insects are parasites of parasites!!


Bob Taylor
Sumner, WA, USA
taylorrt at msn.com


>
>
>
> I'm by no means an entomologist, but I think you are mistaken. I don't
think
> the tomato horn "worm" turns into a sphinx moth.
> We need Terry Whitworth's opinion. Terry!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you
out
> there, oh wise and all knowing bug man??
>
> Michelle
> MBlanchrd at aol.com
> Oly, WA