DISTRIBUTION:

Eumorpha anchemolus, (Anchemola Sphinx Moth), (wing span: 5 5/8 - 5 7/8 inches (13.4 - 14.9 cm)) is reported from
Surinam.

This species also flies in
Venezuela;
Guyana;
French Guiana;
Brazil: Amapa, Amazonas, Para, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Parana, possibly Santa Catarina;
Colombia;
Ecuador: Orellana;
Peru;
Bolivia: Santa Cruz, Cochabamba (350-750m);
Paraguay: Boqueron, possibly?? Itapua (WO??);
Argentina: Misiones;
north through Central America to
southern Mexico: Sinaloa, Veracruz;
Belize: Corozol, Cayo, Toledo;
Guatemala;
Honduras: Francisco Morazan;
Nicaragua: Jinotega, Rio San Juan, Rivas, probably Matagalpa, Boaca, Chontales;
Costa Rica: Guanacaste, Puntarenas, Limon, Alajuela, Heredia, San Jose, Cartago;
Panama: Kuna Yala, Panama.

Stragglers sometimes appear in Texas. The North Dakota listing is based on a specimen imported on some bananas.

The moth's upperside is dark brown. The forewings have diffuse white markings, a white patch near the center of the inner margin, and a single dark spot at the end of the cell. Eumorpha anchemolus, Yasuni, Ecuador, (September 10, 10:31 PM) in typical resting postion. Image, copyright, courtesy of Steve Graser.

The genus name "Eumorpha" means well-formed.

In Greek mythology, Anchemolus was an ally of Turnus during the war against Aeneas. He was killed by Pallas.

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

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.

FLIGHT TIMES AND PREFERRED FOOD PLANTS:

Eumorpha anchemolus adults are on the wing in all but the coldest months.

Adults nectar at various flowers. Eumorpha anchemolus larvae probably feed upon grapes (Vitaceae), dogbane (Apocynaceae), or evening primrose (Onagraceae) families.

Cissus erosa and Vitis are reported hosts in Brazil. Members of Dilleniaceae and Vitaceae families will probably work.

ECLOSION, SCENTING AND MATING:

Pupae wiggle to surface just prior to eclosion. Females call at night, and males (below) fly into the wind to pick up and track the pheromone plume.

Eumorpha anchemolus male courtesy of Dan Janzen.

Eumorpha anchemolus, Minas Gerais, Brazil, courtesy of Larry Valentine.

Eumorpha anchemolus, Ecuador, courtesy of Steve Graser.

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

All images above courtesy of Dan Janzen, Costa Rica.

Larval Food Plants

Listed below are primary food plant(s) and alternate food plants. It is hoped that this alphabetical listing followed by the common name of the foodplant will prove useful. The list is not exhaustive. Experimenting with closely related foodplants is worthwhile.

Cissus alata Cissus aff. biformifolia....... Cissus erosa Cissus pseudosicyoides Vitis

Cissus alata Cissus aff. biformifolia Caro de tres hojas Treebine Grape

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