Esfingídeos (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae) ocorrentes em Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Abstract

Sphingids (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae), also known as hawkmoths, are Lepidoptera with a robust and fusiform body, with huge ecological and economic importance. In this study, the sphingids occurring in the city of Bento Gonçalves, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil were identified and characterized. Information about their host plants and a visual guide for taxonomic identification is also provided. In this work were used specimens already deposited in the Entomological Collection of the Museum of Natural Sciences of the University of Caxias do Sul. The insects were identified with help of specialized bibliography, and then measured and photographed. Thirty-one species included in 13 genera were recorded, with Dilophonotini being the most representative tribe, with 13 species. The species found by the study correspond to approximately 40% of the 84 recorded in the state. 200 different records of sphingid hostplants were listed, with Solanaceae being the family with the largest number of Sphingidae species associated. The species with most available specimens was Eumorpha analis (Rothschild & Jordan, 1903), which has vines and plants of the genus Solanum L. as hostplants. Three taxonomic updates are recorded for the list of sphingids of RS: Manduca exiguus (Gehlen, 1942), Manduca paphus (Cramer, 1779) and Xylophanes crenulata Vaglia & Haxaire, 2009. [resumo fornecido pelo autor]