Euproserpinus euterpe

Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth

FWS Focus

Overview

Characteristics
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

Euproserpinus euterpe
Common Name
Kern Primrose Sphinx Moth
FWS Category
Insects
Kingdom

Location in Taxonomic Tree

Identification Numbers

TSN:

Characteristics

Characteristic category

Physical Characteristics

Characteristics
Color & Pattern

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.

Size & Shape

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

Characteristic category

Food

Characteristics
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).

Characteristic category

Life Cycle

Characteristics
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.

Life Span

Pupae may lay dormant for several years underground before metamorphizing into adults. Adult life span is unknown for this species. 

Characteristic category

Habitat

Characteristics
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.

Grassland

Land on which the natural dominant plant forms are grasses and forbs.

Desert

Arid land with usually sparse vegetation.

Rural

Environments influenced by humans in a less substantial way than cities. This can include agriculture, silvaculture, aquaculture, etc.

Geography

Characteristics
Range

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.

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