Obscure sphinx
Erinnyis obscura (Fabricius, 1775)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Upperside of the female forewing is dark gray to brownish gray with black markings on the basal half and near the center of the costa; some females are nearly all black. Upperside of the male forewing is pale gray with black markings and a black line in the center running from the base to about three-fourths of the wing length. In both sexes, the hindwing upperside is orange with a narrow black border.
Wing Span: 2 3/16 - 2 9/16 inches (5.6 - 6.5 cm).
Life History: Adults begin feeding at sunset. Caterpillars pupate in cocoons spun on the soil surface.
Flight: . Several flights throughout the year in the tropics, south Florida, and South Texas. One flight from August-October northward.
Caterpillar Hosts: Papaya (Carica papaya), various plants in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) including Philibertia and Cynanchum species, and various plants in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) including Poinsettia.
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical lowlands.
Range: Uruguay north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to Florida, Mississippi, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and southern California. Has strayed to Arkansas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, North Dakota, and Pennsylvania.
Conservation: Not usually required.
NCGR: G5 - Demonstrably secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
Management Needs: None reported.
Comments: NULL
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 146 verified sightings
Observation date: Oct 21, 2017
Submitted by: Lacie Thorn
Region: Tulsa County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 24, 2017
Observation date: Apr 04, 2017
Submitted by: Stuart Marcus
Region: Texas, Liberty County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 11, 2017
Observation date: Oct 17, 2016
Submitted by: Christine Stanke
Region: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, United States
Verified by: Ilona L.
Verified date: Dec 14, 2016
Observation date: Oct 09, 2016
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Dec 05, 2016
Observation date: Nov 09, 2016
Submitted by: Cheri Pierce
Region: Lake County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 18, 2016
Observation date: Sep 26, 2009
Submitted by: ribitzki49
Region: Pawnee County, Oklahoma, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Nov 17, 2016
Observation date: Sep 08, 2016
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Verified date: Sep 12, 2016
Observation date: Sep 29, 2015
Submitted by: rosacmchenry@sb...
Region: Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 19, 2016
Observation date: Sep 21, 2015
Submitted by: Ken Childs
Region: Chester County, Tennessee, United States
Verified by: Ken Childs
Verified date: Oct 05, 2015
Observation date: Sep 07, 2015
Submitted by: rosacmchenry@sb...
Region: Sedgwick County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Sep 20, 2015
Observation date: Aug 25, 2015
Submitted by: Jeff Trahan
Region: Caddo Parish, Louisiana, United States
Verified by: Jeff Trahan
Verified date: Sep 06, 2015
Observation date: Nov 08, 2009
Submitted by: Margaret and I 1996
Region: Texas, Webb County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: May 10, 2015
Observation date: Jun 27, 2014
Submitted by: ridgeboy
Region: Polk County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Jan 30, 2015
Observation date: Dec 22, 2014
Submitted by: whbauer
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Dec 23, 2014
Observation date: Nov 09, 2012
Submitted by: reutere
Region: Montgomery County, Kansas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Oct 30, 2013
Observation date: Jul 25, 2012
Submitted by: JeanEvoy
Region: DeSoto County, Florida, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 21, 2013
Observation date: Jan 26, 2013
Submitted by: jacobt
Region: Comal County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 13, 2013
Observation date: Oct 09, 1971
Submitted by: stomlins701
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Apr 05, 2013
Observation date: May 27, 2012
Submitted by: jeffmci9
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 21, 2013
Observation date: Oct 30, 2012
Submitted by: rseidler
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Mar 18, 2013
Observation date: Aug 31, 2012
Submitted by: tjantscher
Region: Linn County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: jamesdurbin
Verified date: Jan 14, 2013
Observation date: Oct 16, 2012
Submitted by: tjantscher
Region: Lee County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: jamesdurbin
Verified date: Jan 14, 2013
Observation date: Sep 22, 2006
Submitted by: tjantscher
Region: Story County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: jamesdurbin
Verified date: Jan 14, 2013
Observation date: Nov 29, 2012
Submitted by: Russell Weir
Region: Texas, San Patricio County, United States
Verified by: kmortensen
Verified date: Nov 29, 2012
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