Isognathus mossi
Encyclopedia
Isognathus mossi is a moth
of the Sphingidae
family. It is known from eastern Brazil
and Venezuela
.
The length of the forewings is 36 mm for males and 41 mm for females. It is similar to Isognathus menechus
but smaller and the ground colour of the body and wings (both above and below) is much darker. Furthermore, the forewings are relatively shorter.
There are probably multiple generations per year.
The larvae probably feed on Apocynaceae
species. They have long tails and are very colourful, suggesting they are unpalatable to birds.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
of the Sphingidae
Sphingidae
Sphingidae is a family of moths , commonly known as hawk moths, sphinx moths and hornworms, that includes about 1,200 species . It is best represented in the tropics but there are species in every region . They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their rapid,...
family. It is known from eastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and Venezuela
Venezuela
Venezuela , officially called the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela , is a tropical country on the northern coast of South America. It borders Colombia to the west, Guyana to the east, and Brazil to the south...
.
The length of the forewings is 36 mm for males and 41 mm for females. It is similar to Isognathus menechus
Isognathus menechus
Isognathus menechus is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found from Cuba to Bolivia, Argentina and Brazil.It is a heavy-bodied species...
but smaller and the ground colour of the body and wings (both above and below) is much darker. Furthermore, the forewings are relatively shorter.
There are probably multiple generations per year.
The larvae probably feed on Apocynaceae
Apocynaceae
The Apocynaceae or dogbane family is a family of flowering plants that includes trees, shrubs, herbs, and lianas.Many species are tall trees found in tropical rainforests, and most are from the tropics and subtropics, but some grow in tropical dry, xeric environments. There are also perennial herbs...
species. They have long tails and are very colourful, suggesting they are unpalatable to birds.
Subspecies
- Isognathus mossi mossi (eastern Brazil)
- Isognathus mossi fabianae Lichy, 1981 (Venezuela)