DISTRIBUTION:

Xylophanes hannemanni pacifica moths (wingspan: 68-83 mm, females larger than males) fly in Mexico (specimen type locality): Oaxaca.

"Very similar to Xylophanes hannemanni hannemanni but forewing apex more rounded and outer margin markedly convex below M2. 30-33 mm." CATE

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestions" at the top of the page are merely suggestions. They are based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names. In some cases I have anglicized the pronunciations as per more common usage.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Jean Marie Cadiou writes, "When I say "Xylophanes" in English I pronounce it something like "Zailophanees", with the emphasis on the "o". The French pronounce it differently, something like "Kzeelophaness" with no emphasis, and the Germans yet in a different way..."

In Greek myth, Phanes is the golden winged Primordial Being who was hatched from the shining Cosmic Egg that was the source of the universe. He personifies light emerging from chaos.

"Xylo" is the Greek word for wood.

The specimen type for the genus Xylophanes is Xylophanes anubus. Perhaps ? when Hubner examined this species, the yellow-orange and brown tones of the forewings suggested wings of wood.

The species name "hannemanni" is honorific for Dr. H. J. Hannemann.

Jean Marie Cadiou writes, "pacifica (for X. hannemanni sbsp) comes from the fact that the subspecies occurs on the Pacific Ocean side, the nominate subspecies being found on the Atlantic slopes (Mexico)."

FLIGHT TIMES:

Xylophanes hannemanni pacifica adults fly probably produce at least three broods annually.

ECLOSION:

Pupae probably wiggle to surface from subterranean chambers just prior to eclosion.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen. Males come in to lights very readily, but females are seldom taken in that way.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Larvae probably feed on Psychotria panamensis, Psychotria correae, Psychotria horizontalis, Psychotria eurycarpa, Psychotria elata and Psychotria nervosa and Palicourea padifolia and Coussarea austin-smithii of the Rubiaceae family and on Thalia geniculata of the Marantaceae family.

Moths emerge approximately twenty-one days to two months after larvae pupate, but some will "overwinter", emerging in March after pupating in July.

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Xylophanes hannemanni pacifica male, Oaxaca, Mexico,
on my home computer only.