GB: Barbary Spurge Hawkmoth, F: Sphinx du Tithymale
Hyles euphorbiae gecki de Freina, 1991, NachrBl. bayer. Ent. 40: 65--72.Type locality: Madeira, 10km east of Funchal.
(Taxonomic note. Studies of both larvae and adults demonstrate that H. euphorbiae gecki is a subspecies of H. tithymali, a view also supported by Meerman (1993), the behavioural studies of Harbich (1994), and the mtDNA studies of Hundsdoerfer et al. (2005b). The three worn adults (1 male, 2 females) in the BM(NH) (collected by T. V. Wollaston) are referable to H. tithymali, a conclusion also reached in part by Baker (1891). Comparison of these specimens and a number of recently reared adults with a large number of H. t. mauretanica indicate that H. t. gecki is a good subspecies, although some individuals of H. t. mauretanica do approximate to H. t. gecki in coloration and pattern. However, the mtDNA work of Hundsdoerfer et al. (2005b) indicate that the subspecific status of H. t. gecki may be in doubt.
The larva of H. t. gecki closely resembles that of H. t. mauretanica, differing mainly in having a narrower yellow dorso-lateral stripe and reduced yellow coloration on the prolegs in the final instar, and confirms the placement of this subspecies within H. tithymali. This masking of the yellow by black is also found in H. t. himyarensis.)
Holarctic; western Palaearctic region. Pleistocene refuge: Monocentric -- Madeira Island (Canary Island subsection of the Mediterranean refuge).
Wingspan: 70--85mm. As illustrated. Similar in coloration and pattern to some individuals of H. t. mauretanica from Morocco. In some, the normally dark olive brown coloration of the forewing may be reddish brown. The median stripe may also be off-white rather than of the normal pale creamy yellow colour.
An inhabitant of steep cliffs with a good growth of Euphorbia piscatoria.
Active well after midnight, with pairing taking place from 02.00 hours onwards (Harbich, 1994), as in other members of the tithymali complex. This is in distinct contrast to H. e. euphorbiae, which tends to pair between 22.00 and 24.00 hours, and in which the males become inactive after midnight.
So far as is known, April to October in a number of broods. May be continuous-brooded.
OVUM: Similar to that of subsp. tithymali, i.e. small, very hard and blue-green in colour. Laid in large clusters on the growing tips of the hostplant.
LARVA: Full fed: 75--100mm.
According to de Freina (1991), the young larva is initially matt black, its colour changing with feeding to olive black. In the second instar very similar to that of H. t. tithymali: ground colour yellow; a dorso-lateral line of round, startling white eye-spots; dorsal and ventro-lateral lines greenish yellow; head dark orange; horn almost matt black. In the third and fourth instars the larva is very similar to that of H. t. mauretanica. Full-grown larvae are also similar to that subspecies but differ mainly in having a much narrower yellow dorso-lateral stripe and reduced yellow on the prolegs. As in H. t. tithymali, about 66 per cent of the larvae have a red flush to the normally white eye-spots. (For further information see Harbich, 1994.)
In behaviour very similar to that of H. t. tithymali but, until the final instar, generally active only by day (de Freina, 1991).
Occurs from April to December.
Hostplant. Euphorbia piscatoria, a plant endemic to Madeira (Aguiar, pers. comm.). Contrary to what is stated in Pittaway (1993) and (Danner, Eitschberger & Surholt, 1998), Euphorbia regis-jubae does not occur on Madeira.
PUPA: Indistinguishable from subsp. tithymali. Overwinters as a pupa. Usually killed by sub-zero temperatures.
None recorded.
Confined to the island of Madeira (de Freina, 1991), where it was also found by M. Geck (pers. comm.), de Worms (1964) and Gardner & Classey (1960) who recorded it as 'Celerio euphorbiae'. Cockerell (1923) noted that there were five species of Sphingidae on Madeira but did not name them.
Extra-limital range. None; however, larval evidence suggests that many populations of H. e. euphorbiae from southern Portugal are hybrids with this subspecies.
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