Ello Sphinx
Erinnyis ello
This species is a strong migrant, occasionally reaching as far north as Canada during summer months.
- Scientific name
- Erinnyis ello
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Sphingidae › Erinnyis
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- forest
- Habitat
- Tropical and subtropical forests, scrublands, and agricultural plantations.
- Diet
- Adults drink nectar from night-blooming flowers; larvae feed on Euphorbiaceae like cassava and poinsettias.
- Range
- South America, Central America, Mexico, Caribbean, Southern United States
- Size
- Wingspan of 75 to 110 mm.
- Lifespan
- 10-20 days as an adult moth.
- Active
- crepuscular
- Threats
- Habitat loss and heavy pesticide use in commercial cassava farming.
- Safe to approach?
- Completely harmless to humans. These moths do not bite or sting. They are attracted to lights at night. If one enters your home, gently cup it or use a container to release it outside. No medical action is required for contact.
Erinnyis ello , commonly known as the " ello sphinx ", is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It is distributed from Argentina through Central America to the United States as far north as Nevada.
Photo: Ricard Busquets Reverte, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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