Unzela japix
Common NameUnzela japix
Scientific NameUnzela japix
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilySmerinthinae
Wingspan (mm)70
Primary Colorsdark brown, light brown, greenish-grey, white
HabitatTropical and subtropical forests, woodlands
Geographic RangeCentral America, South America (e.g., Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru)
Host PlantsAnnona spp., Bombax spp., Paullinia spp.
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesUndergoes complete metamorphosis; larvae are typically green or brown with a posterior horn, pupating in the soil or leaf litter.
Identification TipsKey features include the robust body, pointed abdomen, and the distinctive pale, often greenish-white, transverse band across the thorax and forewings, set against a mottled brown and greenish-grey background.
Description
A medium-sized hawkmoth with a robust, dark brown body and forewings featuring a complex cryptic pattern of dark brown, lighter brown, and greenish-grey mottling, highlighted by a prominent pale, often greenish-white, transverse band across the thorax and forewings.
