Overview
The Kern primrose sphinx moth is brown and white, and flies during the day. The multi-colored larva feed on plants closely related to evening primrose, which gives the moth its name.
The historical range for this species is unknown, but it was originally known only in the northwest portion of the Walker Basin in Kern County, primarily on 43,053 square feet (4,000 square meters) of a sandy wash. Its known range has since expanded to include the Carrizo Plain National Monument, in San Luis Obispo County, and the Cuyama Valley in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Annual moth surveys monitor for this species, but the overall population size remains unknown. The Kern primrose sphinx moth was listed as threatened in April 1980.
Impacts, uses and other threats include:
- Habitat loss, due to agricultural and urban development
- Herbicide and pesticide use
- Non-native plants
- Collection of individuals
Scientific Name
Identification Numbers
Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Adults are primarily brown, with contrasting white bands on the abdomen. There is a distinct, broad white band on the hindwings, and white markings on the edges of the hindwing and forewing. The top side of the antenna has white striping.
The larva is smooth and fleshy, with multi-colored markings of green, orange, pink, white and black. There is a short horn or spur near its hind end.
The Kern primrose sphinx moth has a streamlined, yet stout body, and elongate forewings that are slanted at the outer margins.
Measurements
Wingspan: Up to 3 in
Food
Larvae feed exclusively on the leaves of their host plants, evening primroses, suncups and related species (Camissonia spp.). Adults feed on the nectar of a variety of flowers, including filaree (Erodium spp.), goldfields (Lasthenia chrysostoma), baby blue-eyes (Nemophila menziesii) and miniature lupine (Lupinus bicolor).
Life Cycle
Females lay tiny, 0.04 to 1.0 inch (0.1 centimeter), light green eggs on their host and surrounding plants. Larvae emerge from the eggs a few days later and begin to feed, traveling to the host plant if necessary. When larvae are ready to pupate, they bury themselves underground, 2 to 4 inches deep. High humidity is required for this species to develop in the pupa. Adults will emerge when humidity and temperatures are both high enough, beginning in early spring. Flight periods for the adults range from late February to early April. Pupae are known to diapause, meaning that they delay metamorphosis to adult form, underground for multiple years during drought periods.
Pupae may lay dormant for several years underground before metamorphizing into adults. Adult life span is unknown for this species.
Habitat
The larval host plant, which is related to evening primrose (Camissonia) of this species, grows in dry, disturbed, sandy-gravelly areas like sandy washes next to fields.
Land on which the natural dominant plant forms are grasses and forbs.
Arid land with usually sparse vegetation.
Environments influenced by humans in a less substantial way than cities. This can include agriculture, silvaculture, aquaculture, etc.
Geography
The historical range for this species is unknown. It was originally known only in the northwest portion of the Walker Basin in Kern County, primarily on 43,053 square feet (4,000 square meters) of a sandy wash. Its known range has since expanded to include the Carrizo Plain National Monument, in San Luis Obispo County and the Cuyama Valley in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. Annual moth surveys monitor for this species, but the overall population size remains unknown.
Timeline
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