Updated as per AN ANNOTATED CHECKLIST OF THE SPHINGIDAE OF BOLIVIA, February 2009
Updated as per Hawkmoths of Venezuela, February 2009.
Updated as per CATE (Carabaya, Peru; February 2009
Updated as per personal communication with Vladimir Izersky (Junin, Peru), February 2009
Updated as per personal communication with Leif Gabrielsen (Bella Vista Lodge, Pichincha, Ecuador, October 19, 2009); December 2009
Updated as per CATE (description; Venezuela: Merida, Ecuador, Peru); February 19, 2011
Updated as per personal communication with Pia Oberg (Casa Simpson, Tapichalaca, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador, Feb. 20, 2011, 2000m); December 2, 2011

Nyceryx hyposticta
(R. Felder, 1874)

Nyceryx hyposticta, Coviriali, Junin, Peru,
November 21, 2008, 662m, courtesy of Vladimir Izersky.

This site has been created by Bill Oehlke at oehlkew@islandtelecom.com
Comments, suggestions and/or additional information are welcomed by Bill.

TAXONOMY:

Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802
Subfamily: Macroglossinae, Harris, 1839
Tribe: Dilophonotini, Burmeister, 1878
Genus: Nyceryx Boisduval, [1875] ...........
Species: hyposticta R. Felder, 1874

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DISTRIBUTION:

Nyceryx hyposticta flies in Colombia, the specimen type locality, and in
Venezuela: Merida, Tachira, 0-2425m; through
Ecuador: Pichincha; Junin: Coviriali; Zamora-Chinchipe: Tapichalaca (2000m PO); to
Peru: Junin (662m), Carabaya; and
Bolivia: Lapaz (750, 1200, 3200m), Cochabamba.

Nyceryx hyposticta, Coviriali, Junin, Peru,
November 21, 2008, 662m, courtesy of Vladimir Izersky.

The largest species of the genus, immediately distinguishable by the semitransparent spots in the distal half of the forewing and the pink hindwing upperside with three transverse black bands. Basal half of forewing underside with numerous conspicuous yellow spots. Hindwing upperside ground colour pink, with three transverse black bands (similar to those found in Adhemarius gannascus and allied species). CATE

Nyceryx hyposticta, Casa Simpson/Tapichalaca, Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador,
February 20, 2011, 2000m, courtesy of Pia Oberg.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Moths are probably on the wing in just about every month. They have been reported in Bolivia from February to May. Vladimir Izersky reports a November flight in Peru. Lief Gabrielsen reports an October flight in Pichincha, Ecuador, and Pia Oberg reports a February flight in Zamora-Chinchipe, Ecuador.

Nyceryx hyposticta, Bella Vista Lodge, Pichincha, Ecuador,
October 19, 2009, courtesy of Leif Gabrielsen.

ECLOSION:

Adults eclose, usually within three weeks.

SCENTING AND MATING:

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

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Larvae feed on

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