Tetrio sphinx
Pseudosphinx tetrio (Linnaeus, 1771)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Forewing upperside is dark brown with a dark spot at the base of the costa and blurry gray and white markings. Hindwing upperside is dark brown with white along the inner margin and the lower half of the outer margin.
Wing Span: 5 - 5 1/2 inches (12.7 - 14 cm).
Life History: Females lay eggs in clusters on leaves of the host tree.
Flight: . Several flights from March-September in Florida.
Caterpillar Hosts: Frangipani (Plumeria rubra) and other Plumeria species, and Allamanda species; all in the dogbane family (Apocynaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including rosy periwinkle (Vinca rosea).
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical lowlands.
Range: Southern Brazil north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to south Florida, southern Mississippi, Texas, and southern Arizona. Has strayed to Nebraska 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: Tetrio sphinx caterpillars can defoliate a frangipani tree in a few days.
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Verified Sightings
Displaying 25 - 48 of 69 verified sightings
Observation date: Jan 28, 2014
Submitted by: SueBee45
Region: Bonaire
Verified by: jwileyrains
Verified date: Jan 25, 2022
Observation date: Nov 15, 2018
Submitted by: JimR
Region: Highlands County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 20, 2018
Observation date: Oct 10, 2018
Submitted by: Tatiana Staats
Region: Sarasota County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Oct 12, 2018
Observation date: Sep 15, 2018
Submitted by: oakeslizzo@yahoo.com
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 16, 2018
Observation date: Dec 18, 2016
Submitted by: j jenkins
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 12, 2017
Observation date: Feb 21, 2017
Submitted by: SHayford
Region: Pasco County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 12, 2017
Observation date: Apr 10, 2017
Submitted by: Michelle Royce
Region: Highlands County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Oct 06, 2017
Observation date: Oct 28, 2016
Submitted by: palesch
Region: Pinellas County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Nov 03, 2016
Observation date: Apr 23, 2016
Submitted by: Keybugs
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Apr 24, 2016
Observation date: Mar 19, 2014
Submitted by: nyfiken
Region: Cayman Islands
Verified by: BAMONA
Verified date: Sep 06, 2014
Observation date: Oct 15, 2013
Submitted by: ShawnLane
Region: Brunswick County, North Carolina, United States
Verified by: rogerdowner
Verified date: May 29, 2014
Observation date: Dec 02, 2013
Submitted by: LLJohnson
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Feb 24, 2014
Observation date: Nov 11, 2006
Submitted by: czaplak
Region: Cameron County, Texas, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Dec 22, 2013
Observation date: Oct 23, 2013
Submitted by: bethleaf
Region: Manatee County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Nov 20, 2013
Observation date: Nov 26, 2012
Submitted by: peso100
Region: Dominican Republic
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Oct 26, 2013
Observation date: Sep 11, 2012
Submitted by: daina
Region: Devonshire, Bermuda
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Oct 26, 2013
Observation date: Feb 06, 2013
Submitted by: Lilamomdogsrule
Region: Puerto Rico
Verified by: Josiah Gilbert
Verified date: Oct 26, 2013
Observation date: Aug 17, 2013
Submitted by: hurricanepete2002
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 18, 2013
Observation date: Jul 24, 2013
Submitted by: dennie
Region: Monroe County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 05, 2013
Observation date: Aug 05, 2013
Submitted by: pdietrich
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Aug 05, 2013
Observation date: Jul 14, 2013
Submitted by: rafy64
Region: Puerto Rico
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jul 16, 2013
Observation date: Dec 23, 2011
Submitted by: MikesTooLz
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Oct 07, 2012
Observation date: May 15, 2012
Submitted by: CaroMora
Region: Puerto Rico
Verified by: curtis.lehman
Verified date: Sep 07, 2012
Observation date: May 15, 2012
Submitted by: Al Rod
Region: Puerto Rico
Verified by: John Calhoun
Verified date: Aug 04, 2012
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