Smerinthus minor Mell, 1937, Dt. ent. Z. 1937: 5. Type locality: China, south Shensi [Shaanxi, Qinling], Taipeishan [Taibai Shan], <<33.8°N 108°E>>, 1700m.
Distinguishable from other Chinese species of Smerinthus by the angular protrusion on the lower half of the forewing outer margin.
A montane species confined to cool temperate deciduous forest zones.
Univoltine; mainly early June to early July. However, one individual was recorded from Longnan, Gansu, on 9.v.2022 (ZhengBang Xu, pers. comm. 2022).
OVUM: Unknown.
LARVA: Unknown.
PUPA: Unknown.
Larval hostplants. Unknown.
Unknown.
China: Hebei/Beijing (Miaofeng Shan; Baihua Shan); Shanxi (Taiyue Shan, 2000m); Shaanxi (Qinling, Taibai Shan, 1700-2000m); Gansu (Longnan); Hubei (Tapien Shan, 900-1800m); Hunan (Wuling Shan).
Once considered endemic to the Taibai Shan in the western Qinling Mountains of Shaanxi, where it is not uncommon at 2000m (11 specimens in the SFSI and more than 10 in the NAUY). However, Yang (1978) recorded and illustrated a male from the Miaofeng Mountains near Beijing, but misidentified it as Smerinthus tokyonis Matsumura. There is also a specimen in the IZAS from the Wuling Mountains, Hunan.
Endemic to China.
Holarctic; eastern Palaearctic region. Pleistocene refuge: Monocentric -- Sinoeremic refugium.
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