Butterflies and Moths of North America

collecting and sharing data about Lepidoptera

Fig sphinx
Pachylia ficus (Linnaeus, 1758)


Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Forewing upperside is orangish brown with a paler patch along the costa at the tip. Hindwing upperside is orange to orangish brown with a black outer border, a black median band, and a white spot on the outer margin near the body.
Wing Span: 4 3/4 - 5 1/2 inches (12 - 14 cm).
Life History: Adults begin feeding before sunset. Caterpillars pupate in cocoons spun in litter on the ground.
Flight: . Several flights throughout the year in the tropics, peninsular Florida, and South Texas.
Caterpillar Hosts: Various species of fig (Ficus).
Adult Food: Flower nectar.
Habitat: Tropical.
Range: Uruguay north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to Florida, South Texas, and southern Arizona. Strays north to Indiana 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.
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