Polyptychus paupercula
Encyclopedia
Polyptychus paupercula is a moth
of the Sphingidae
family. It is known from forests from Liberia
to Uganda
.
The length of the forewings is 27-31 mm for males, females are larger, darker and broader winged than the males. The wings are broader and less acuminate than other Polyptychus
species. It is very similar in shape and markings to Andriasa contraria
. The forewings are pale greyish-brown, with numerous crenulate darker transverse lines, more or less parallel. There is a darker spot near the apex and another at the inner margin, near the tornus. There is also a large rounded orange brown basal dot. The hindwings are pale greyish-brown, but the margin is darker, especially near the tomus. There are traces of an inner marginal streak.
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 forests from Liberia
Liberia
Liberia , officially the Republic of Liberia, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Sierra Leone on the west, Guinea on the north and Côte d'Ivoire on the east. Liberia's coastline is composed of mostly mangrove forests while the more sparsely populated inland consists of forests that open...
to Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
.
The length of the forewings is 27-31 mm for males, females are larger, darker and broader winged than the males. The wings are broader and less acuminate than other Polyptychus
Polyptychus
Polyptychus is a type of moth in the family Sphingidae. These middle-sized, light-brown moths are found in Africa and Southeast Asia.- Appearance :Middle-sized to large , light brown hawk moth...
species. It is very similar in shape and markings to Andriasa contraria
Andriasa contraria
Andriasa contraria is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is known from tropical Africa, including Kenya, Cameroon and South Africa. It is a very variable species and is common in all habitats except deserts and high mountains....
. The forewings are pale greyish-brown, with numerous crenulate darker transverse lines, more or less parallel. There is a darker spot near the apex and another at the inner margin, near the tornus. There is also a large rounded orange brown basal dot. The hindwings are pale greyish-brown, but the margin is darker, especially near the tomus. There are traces of an inner marginal streak.
Subspecies
- Polyptychus paupercula paupercula
- Polyptychus paupercula senniger Jordan, 1920