Rustic sphinx
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Lepidoptera
Family:	Sphingidae
Genus:	Manduca
Species:	M. rustica
Binomial name
Manduca rustica (Fabricius, 1775)
Synonyms
Sphinx rustica Fabricius, 1775 Sphinx chionanthi J. E. Smith, 1797 Protoparce nigrita Clark, 1926 Protoparce postscripta Clark, 1926 Protoparce rustica auriflua Gehlen, 1930 Phlegethontius rustica harterti Rothschild, 1894 Protoparce rustica calapagensis Holland, 1889 Phlegethontius rustica cortesi Cary, 1963 Protoparce rustica cubana Wood, 1915 Protoparce rustica dominicana Gehlen, 1928

Manduca rustica, the rustic sphinx, is a moth of the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775.^[1]

Distribution

It is found in the southern parts of the United States (straying into the northern United States at times), southward through Mexico, Central America and South America to Uruguay.

Description

• 
  Male Manduca rustica rustica, dorsal view
• 
  Male Manduca rustica rustica, ventral view

Biology

The larvae feed on Jasminum and Bignonia species and other plants of the families Verbenaceae, Convolvulaceae and Lamiaceae and Boraginaceae.

The species is widespread and adaptable, living in varied habitats from rainforests to deserts and thriving in urban and disturbed habitat. It can live on many types of native and exotic plants.^[2]

Subspecies

• Manduca rustica cortesi (Cary, 1963) (Mexico)
• Manduca rustica cubana (Wood, 1915) (Cuba, Jamaica)
• Manduca rustica calapagensis (Holland, 1889) (Galápagos Islands)
• Manduca rustica harterti (Rothschild, 1894) (Lesser Antilles, including Bonaire and St. Lucia)
• Manduca rustica rustica (Americas)

• 
  Manduca rustica calapagensis, female, dorsal
• 
  Manduca rustica calapagensis, female, ventral
• 
  Manduca rustica cubana dorsal MHNT
• 
  Manduca rustica cubana ventral MHNT
• 
  Manduca rustica harterti, dorsal view
• 
  Manduca rustica harterti, ventral view

Gallery

• 
  Female
• 
  Variation
• 
  Larva
• 
  Adult

References

External links

• Lotts, Kelly & Naberhaus, Thomas (2017). "Rustic sphinx Manduca rustica (Fabricius, 1775)". Butterflies and Moths of North America. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
• "Rustic sphinx". Featured Creatures. University of Florida.
• Fauske, Gerald M. (January 23, 2007). "Manduca rustica (Fabricius 1775)". Moths of North Dakota. Department of Entomology North Dakota State University. Retrieved December 12, 2020.