Ello sphinx
Erinnyis ello (Linnaeus, 1758)
Family: Sphingidae
Subfamily: Macroglossinae
Identification: Abdomen has very distinct gray and black bands. Upperside of female forewing is pale gray with a few dark dots near the outer margin. Upperside of male forewing is dark gray and brown with a black band running from the base to the tip. In both sexes, the hindwing upperside is orange with a wide black border.
Wing Span: 2 15/16 - 3 5/16 inches (7.5 - 8.5 cm).
Life History: Adults begin feeding at dark. Fully-grown caterpillars spin cocoons on the soil surface.
Flight: . Several flights throughout the year in Florida and South Texas. Strays north July-October.
Caterpillar Hosts: Papaya (Carica papaya) in the Caricaceae family; various plants in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae) including poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima); guava (Psidium species) in the myrtle family (Myrtaceae); also saffron plum (Bumelia angustifolia) in the Sapotaceae.
Adult Food: Nectar from flowers including bouncing bet (Saponaria officinalis).
Habitat: Tropical and subtropical lowlands and foothills.
Range: Resident in Argentina north through Central America, Mexico, and the West Indies to south Florida, Texas, Arizona, southern California, and southern Nevada. Strays northward.
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: Ello sphinx caterpillars can be pests of poinsettias.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 129 verified sightings
Submitted by: marley
Region: Bexar County, Texas, United States
Verified by: stomlins701
Verified date: Jan 01, 2019
Submitted by: Carmen Ferreiro
Region: Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States
Observation date: Dec 07, 2012
Verified date: Nov 21, 2018
Submitted by: JimConrad
Region: Yucatan, Mexico
Verified by: kellyrichers
Submitted by: Icemage2005
Region: Osceola County, Florida, United States
Verified by: John Calhoun
Observation date: Feb 11, 2016
Submitted by: daviddowns2000
Verified date: May 31, 2017
Observation date: Nov 05, 2016
Submitted by: jeffmci9
Region: Texas, Travis County, United States
Submitted by: CA Ivy
Region: Sebastian County, Arkansas, United States
Verified by: CA Ivy
Submitted by: M. Reith
Verified by: M. Reith
Submitted by: Bwack
Region: Palm Beach County, Florida, United States
Submitted by: totonka
Submitted by: finatic
Region: Pima County, Arizona, United States
Submitted by: TheButterflyEstates
Region: Lee County, Florida, United States
Submitted by: gwladysddu
Submitted by: joay70
Region: Duval County, Florida, United States
Observation date: Apr 16, 2014
Submitted by: michaeloberg
Region: Webster County, Iowa, United States
Verified by: jamesdurbin
Submitted by: 3ratties
Region: Florida, United States
Observation date: Jan 27, 2014
Submitted by: lggrhdbb
Submitted by: desertseekernncy
Region: Citrus County, Florida, United States
Submitted by: lilylove90
Region: Broward County, Florida, United States
Submitted by: SergioRTC
Region: Managua, Nicaragua
Submitted by: Dave Patton
Region: Cameron Parish, Louisiana, United States
Submitted by: Danah
Region: Hidalgo County, Texas, United States
Submitted by: peekaboo
Region: Indian River County, Florida, United States