Xylophanes juanita

Xylophanes juanita
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Sphingidae
Genus:	Xylophanes
Species:	X. juanita
Binomial name
Xylophanes juanita Rothschild & Jordan, 1903
Synonyms
Pergesa mexicana Schaus, 1890

Xylophanes juanita is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found from Mexico and Belize to Costa Rica.

Description

The wingspan is 57–59 millimetres (2.2–2.3 in). The dorsal scales of the antennae are blackish brown and pinkish latero-basally. The abdomen has two rows of dorsal dots. The lateral border of the tegulae are not well marked, anteriorly pinkish and continued to the base of the antennae. The forewing upperside has traces of one or two antemedian lines and four transverse postmedian lines are present. The first and second are distinctly undulate, while the third and fourth are faint, although the fourth is accentuated by dots on the veins and followed by a patch. The apical oblique line is indistinct. The hindwing upperside is darker brown than the forewing, becoming paler posteriorly. The fringe is white and minutely interrupted at the veins.

Ecology

The larvae possibly feed on Psychotria horizontalis, Psychotria correae, Psychotria microdon and Psychotria nervosa. The false eye of the larvae is divided into two parts and this is very distinctive of this species. There are several colour morphs. In one morph, the last instar has yellow eyes and a blue or green body. Adults are probably on wing year round.