DISTRIBUTION:

Xylophanes columbiana moths fly in Colombia (specimen type locality).

Very similar to Xylophanes elara 32 mm Thorax and abdomen identical in colour and pattern to Xylophanes elara dorsally and verntrally.

Identical to Xylophanes elara except that the third of the oblique postmedian lines lies so close to the heavy fourth line as to be virtually indistinguishable. The dark subbasal area along the inner margin of the forewing underside less extensive than in Xylophanes elara. Of the five postmedian lines present in Xylophanes elara, line one is heavier, line two is absent, line three is prominent from the costa almost to the inner margin (rather than just toward the costal margin), line four is absent, and line five is more wavy than in Xylophanes elara. CATE

The pronunciation of scientific names is troublesome for many. The "suggestion" at the top of the page is merely a suggestion. It is based on commonly accepted English pronunciation of Greek names and/or some fairly well accepted "rules" for latinized scientific names.

The suggested pronunciations, on this page and on other pages, are primarily put forward to assist those who hear with internal ears as they read.

There are many collectors from different countries whose intonations and accents would be different.

Jean Marie Cadiou writes, "When I say "Xylophanes" in English I pronounce it something like "Zailophanees", with the emphasis on the "o". The French pronounce it differently, something like "Kzeelophaness" with no emphasis, and the Germans yet in a different way..."

In Greek myth, Phanes is the golden winged Primordial Being who was hatched from the shining Cosmic Egg that was the source of the universe. He personifies light emerging from chaos.

"Xylo" is the Greek word for wood.

The specimen type for the genus Xylophanes is Xylophanes anubus. Perhaps ? when Hubner examined this species, the yellow-orange and brown tones of the forewings suggested wings of wood.

The species name "colombiana" is for the specimen type locality, Colombia

FLIGHT TIMES:

Xylophanes colombiana adults probably fly as multiple broods.

ECLOSION:

Pupae probably wiggle to surface from subterranean chambers just prior to eclosion.

SCENTING AND MATING:

Females call in the males with a pheromone released from a gland at the tip of the abdomen. Males come in to lights very readily, but females are seldom taken in that way.

EGGS, LARVAE, PUPAE:

Larvae probably feed on plants in the Rubiaceae family and in the Malvaceae family.

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