Lepidoptera of Egypt Part III: Revision of Family Sphingidae (Bombycoidea)

Abstract

Sphingidae, Hawk moths, sphinx moths, bee moths or hummingbird moths; are belonging to the Superfamily Bombycoidea, with about 1400 species recorded around worldwide. It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their agile and sustained flying ability, similar enough to that of hummingbirds as to be reliably mistaken for them. Their narrow wings and streamlined abdomens are adaptations for rapid flight. In Egypt, there is no revision since 2005, the 1^st study done in 1985 and during last this study the family Sphingidae classified under superfamily Sphingoidea, during this study seven species under seven genera were recorded. Then, in 2005 Sphingidae was revised again and nine species under seven genera were recorded. Meanwhile during this study after the complete revision for this family was done and Sphingidae was transferred from superfamily Sphingoidea into superfamily Bombysoidea. Up to date in Egypt Sphingidae is not rich family of Lepidoptera, it is only present with 12 species belonging to 7 Genera under 2 subfamilies. 1^st Subfamily (Sphinginae) represented by 3 species under 2 genera only; while the 2^nd subfamily (Macroglossinae) represented by 9 species under 5 genera. The rich genus is <i>Hyles</i> and represented by 4 species. <i>Acherontia styx</i> (Westwood, 1848) is recorded as new record to the Egyptian fauna.