I have just done an update to the Sphinx moths (Hawk-moths) here on the website. 59 species have been recorded in Cuba, though it could well be more now as the list was compiled back in 2012. I had previously added the species for which I had photos, both those that I had taken and those from our friend Douglas Fernández on the island. We have also come across a few larvae on our travels there and had included those too. I was pleasantly surprised, when I put my mind to searching for other open source material to fill in the gaps, how many people actually allow their pictures to be used on the web for a non-profit purpose. Full marks to them and I'm very grateful as this website now features 58 of those 59 species. Not all of the pictures have been taken in Cuba but I have chosen ones that have been taken from as near to Cuba as possible like Florida, Mexico or Hispaniola. There are some wonderfully striking species like this Eumorpha mirificatus which is endemic to the island.
Eumorpha mirificatus 14 Jan 2020 Bartolome Maso, Turquino NP © Jean Haxaire (CC BY-NC 4.0)
The above was taken by Jean Haxaire who is an associate professor of biological sciences and a researcher. He specialises in the Sphingidae of the world with a special interest for their systematics and evolutionary history. He has traveled all over the world in his quest and has so far discovered/described about 100 new species of the family. The one species on the Cuba list that I am missing is actually a species that was named after him. It is another endemic called Amphonyx (Cocytius) haxairei (Cadiou, 2006). Perhaps I'll contact him to see if he has a picture of it that I could use.
The Pluto Sphinx Xylophanes pluto is more widespread though we have not come across it yet. The adults are a handsome cryptic green but I was particularly struck by this photo of one of the larval instars that is such a wonderful snake mimic. That sure would give a small bird a hell of a fright.
The Pluto Sphinx Xylophanes pluto is more widespread though we have not come across it yet. The adults are a handsome cryptic green but I was particularly struck by this photo of one of the larval instars that is such a wonderful snake mimic. That sure would give a small bird a hell of a fright.
And check out this Giant Sphinx Cocytius antaeus. The name says it all I guess.
Giant Sphinx Cocytius antaeus 21 Jun 2019 Santiago de Cuba © Alex Alfil (CC BY-NC)
As always if any readers have photos of Cuban species especially if they were taken on the island and you would be happy to share them then please do get in touch.
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