FOOD-PLANT GROUPS OF THE SEMANOPHORINAE (LEPIDOPTERA: SPHINGIDAE): A POSSIBLE TAXONOMIC TOOL

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Abstract
The taxonomic framework of the lepidopterous family Sphingidae established by Rothschild and Jordan (1903) contains many anomalies. Indeed, it has been suggested that as the taxonomic lines run across both larval and host-plant groupings, the family should be totally rearranged. In this paper the host plants of the Semanophorinae (one subfamily of the Sphingidae) are examined and discussed. On the basis of host plants, five groups of sphingids, which appear to be taxonomic entities, are distinguished. The identification of the host-plant groups is also a preliminary to the use of Celerio euphorbiae (L.) for the biological control of weedy Euphorbia spp. in Canada.