Diversity and climatic distribution of Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) in Mexico

"Here we revisit and update the state of knowledge on the Sphingidae fauna of Mexico. Our aims were to: (1) document the species diversity of Mexican Sphingidae; (2) generate spatial distribution models for sphingid species; and (3) discuss distributional patterns and the conservation implications for key taxa that, due to their life-history characteristics and restricted distributions, may require conservation actions. We compiled a total of 9,985 records representing 202 taxa (185 species and 17 subspecies) in 49 genera and three subfamilies—Macroglossinae, Sphinginae, and Smerinthinae. We report Perigonia odileae Haxaire & Melichar, 2025, and Perigonia pallida Rothschild & Jordan 1903, as new Sphingidae records for the Mexican realm. Species distribution models indicated that most sphingid genera in Mexico have a predominantly Neotropical biogeographic affinity: 12 genera (24%) exhibit a Neotropical distribution, seven (14%) are exclusively Nearctic, eight (16%) occur in both regions, and 22 (45%) are largely Neotropical but extend marginally into the Nearctic. We discussed taxonomic and distributional considerations for taxa that represent confirmed species (based on barcoded specimens in BOLD), along with species records representing significant expansions into the Mexican realm. Maintaining a network of threatened ecotopes—such as cloud forests and tropical rainforests—will be crucial for preserving sphingid populations and for promoting population (re)colonization processes."