Spotlight on rearing by

Vernon Antoine Brou Jr., 74320 Jack Loyd Road, Abita Springs, Louisiana 70420 email: vabrou@bellsouth.net

Amphion floridensis B. P. Clark

Literature citedBrou, Vernon A. and C.D. Brou 1997. Distribution and phenologies of Louisiana Sphingidae. Jour. Lepid. Soc. 51:156-175.

a. adult Amphion floridensis , b. second instar, c .third instar,

d. fourth instar, e. fifth instar, f. sixth instar early, g sixth instar late

The common Louisiana sphingid

species Amphion floridensis B.P.

Clark is very easy to rear in desktop

containers. The common foodplants

grape and virginia creeper were

utilized in rearing the specimens

illustrated. Ova of floridensis are

difficult to obtain, as most females in

captivity expire without producing a

single egg. Larvae start out

translucent white with a purple tail

turning to light green in second instar,

then pinkish in third instar. then light

green in fourth instar, in fourth instar

pale light green with pinkish

markings, then in ultimate instar a

mottled yellowish ground color with

blackish markings in which the

yellowish color gradually turns to a

very dark brown color with pale

orange highlights. A. floridensis

usually has six annual broods in

Louisiana (Brou & Brou, 1997).

b

c

d

e

f

g

a