Xylophanes isaon by John Vriesi.

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TAXONOMY: Family: Sphingidae, Latreille, 1802 Subfamily: Macroglossinae, Harris, 1839 Tribe: Macroglossini, Harris, 1839 Genus: Xylophanes Hubner [1819] ........... Species: irrorata Boisduval, [1875]

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DISTRIBUTION:

Xylophanes isaon moths fly in
southeastern Brazil (specimen type locality) and
Paraguay: Caaguazu, (possibly Caazapa and Itapua (WO??));
Argentina: Misiones.

Theretra olivacea Rothchild, 1894, Brazil, is the same as Xylophanes isaon.
f. nanus Raymundo, 1932, Brazil, is the same as Xylophanes isaon.

The thorax has a grey medial line that widens posteriorly and continues onto the abdomen as two widely separated, not very distinct bands, each bordered dorsally by a series of sometimes interconnected dots and with a distinct dark grey-brown medial line. The tegula are olive green with a golden-yellow medial line, and this colouration tapers, without the center golden-yellow streaks, onto at least the first two abdominal segments, ending in black.

Ground colour is buff with drab, olive grey-green bands and lines. The dark first pm line is closely traced by a second, thinner line that terminates before reaching the inner margin. A third, weak pm line also terminates before reaching the inner margin, and it divides a wide, pale band running from costa to the inner margin between the second pm line and the darkest and broadest, fourth pm line which runs from the apex to body side of midpoint of the inner margin. The forewing cell is a small, distinct, dark dot. Two additional weaker lines run subparallel to the fourth pm line.

The hindwing upperside is black with a broad, continuous pinkish-orange to very pale yellow-buff median band. The hindwing margin/fringe is buff and completely surrounds the wing.

Xylophanes isaon, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
February 7, 2011, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

Xylophanes isaon, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
February 7, 2011, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

FLIGHT TIMES:

Xylophanes isaon adults probably brood continuously. Larry Valentine reports a February 7, 2011, flight in Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Xylophanes isaon, Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
February 7, 2011, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

Xylophanes isaon (verso), Itanhandu, Minas Gerais, Brazil,
February 7, 2011, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

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 and Psychotria nervosa and other members of the of the Rubiaceae family and on Pavonia guanacastensis of the Malvaceae family.

Moths emerge approximately one-two months after larvae pupate.

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