Hawkmoths of  Brazil  by Alan Martin

Home Keys Photo gallery Pinned specimens General Information Appendices

IDENTIFICATION KEY: MISCELLANEOUS DILOPHONOTINI


See also the Photo Gallery or Pinned Specimens or General Information

1.  Hemeroplanes

H. longistriga: long silver thorn mark on forewing.


Wing: 38-47 mm



H. ornatus: very similar to triptolemus, but the silver thorn should be smaller and thicker and the yellow bands on the abdomen are restricted to the centre whereas they extend across the whole width of the segments in triptolemus. One of the best characteristics is to look at the narrow pale line running from the costa where it ends as a small black triangular mark. In ornatus, the outer edge of this pale line is marked with a discrete narrow dark line of the same general width, only broadening slightly at the costa. In triptolemus, the outer edge of the pale line is broader, more diffuse and widens greatly near the costa.


Wing: 33-40 mm    


H. triptolemus: see above


Wing: 33-40 mm


2.  Pseudosphinx

P. tetrio female: very large and long winged. Mostly pale grey forewings with a black discal spot and brown hindwings.


Wing (male and female): 47-80 mm





P. tetrio male: smaller than female and with darker and more mottled forewings.




See also Manduca & Isognathus species

P. resumens: mostly brown with mottled markings but with distinctive black stripes on abdomen.


Wing: 38-50 mm








O. kadeni: the Oryba species are unmistakable with their green uppersides and orange undersides. Kadeni is brighter than achemenides and has a more contrasting pattern on the forewing.


Wing: 42-62 mm



O. achemenides: see above


Wing: 45-53 mm



P. caliginosa: all Pachygonidia species have the distinctive two pink bands across the hindwing. P. mielkei is separated from caliginosa by the shape of the forewing apex, which is pointed in caliginosa. Found in North, North-east and Southern Brazil.


Wing: 34-37 mm




P. mielkei: See above. Only reported from South and South-east Brazil.








P. martini: only a single, slightly strange record from the far south of Brazil in Santa Catarina state.


M. bubastus bubastus: one medium sized and one small silver discal spot on forewing. Outer margin of forewing less scalloped than oiclus.


Wing: 35-47 mm




M. oiclus oiclus: heavily scalloped outer margin of forewing and two silver discal spots.


Wing: 31-46 mm




M. plutonius plutonius: a distinctive dark band across the forewing with a  silver triangular discal mark. Note also the pointed forewing apex.


Wing: 36-57 mm



P. ficus: pale subapical patch on the forewing and a pale post-discal band across the hindwing.


Wing: 50-70 mm





P. syces syces: in addition to the subapical patch syces has a pale costal patch. The hindwings are uniform brown.


Wing: 39-59 mm






P. darceta: lacks a subapical patch and has 3 oblique lines across the forewing. See also Eumorpha translineatus


Wing: 50-64 mm

4.  Madoryx

7.  Oryba

3.  Pachylioides

5.  Pachygonidia

6.  Pachylia