Tantalus Sphinx
Common NameTantalus Sphinx
Scientific NameAgrius tantalus
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilySphinginae
Wingspan (mm)85
Wing Patternsolid
Primary Colorsdark brown, black, greenish-olive, white, reddish-orange
HabitatOpen areas, gardens, forest edges, coastal areas
Geographic RangeSouthern United States, Caribbean, Central and South America
Host PlantsPsychotria nervosa, Hamelia patens
Flight PeriodMarch to November
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plant leaves. Larvae are green or brown with a horn, pupating in a shallow burrow in the soil.
Identification TipsKey features include its large size, dark forewings, and the prominent white and reddish-orange bands on the abdomen.
Description
A large, robust hawk-moth with dark brown forewings, a greenish-olive thorax, and a distinctive abdomen featuring a broad white band and a narrower reddish-orange band.
