DISTRIBUTION:

Pachysphinx occidentalis peninsularis (Wing span: approx. 127mm), flies in Mexico: Baja California Sur, and possibly in southwestern Texas and southern Arizona.

FLIGHT TIMES:

ECLOSION:

Little is known about the eclosions of the earth pupators, but many believe pupae wiggle toward the surface just prior to emergence.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Female Pachysphinx occidentalis peninsularis extend a scent gland from the posterior of the abdomen to lure in the night flying males whose large claspers are frequently wide open as they fly in to lights around midnight.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Pupation is probably in a subterranean chamber. I suspect larvae would be similar to Pachyshinx modesta and Pachysphinx occidentalis.

Pachysphinx modesta
courtesy of David Wagner

Pachysphinx occidentalis
courtesy of Martin Jagelka

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