DISTRIBUTION:

The Wilson's Sphinx, Hyles wilsoni (Wing span: ) flies only on Hawaii's Big Island.

This moth is very similar to Hyles perkinsi, but H. wilsoni has dark brown (not greenish grey) forewings, and the hindwing is orange (not pink) with narrower borders. The bands on the abdomen are also orange (not white).

FLIGHT TIMES:

ECLOSION:

SCENTING AND MATING:

EGGS, LARVAE AND PUPAE:

Those who first published descriptions and assigned scientific names to many insects, simply chose names of biblical or mythological origin without any real descriptive qualities. Their purpose was simply to set a standard for purposes of identification by assigned name. On some occasions, names, mostly of Latin or Greek origin, were chosen to signify a particular character of the genus or of an individual species.

In Greek mythology, Hyles is one of the centaur warriors who fights against the lapiths.

The species name, "wilsoni", is honourific for Wilson.

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.

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