Manduca rustica (Taxonomy)
Transferred to Manduca by Hodges, 1971, in Dominick et al., Moths Amer. N. of Mexico21: 29 (key), 33.
Antennae long and, in the male, thick. Palpus with 2nd segment much shorter than 1st, not much longer than broad.Foretarsus with 1st segment with an outer row of spines, of which the apical one is elongate, also some spines at the base above the outer row; 2nd to 4th segments with 1 elongate apical spine and a very few short ones externally. Fore- and hindwing uppersides with basal and discal areas almost black in fresh specimens, the forewing becoming more or less pale russet in faded individuals. Uncus convex and somewhat dilated subapically, hooked, apex sinuate.Gnathos concave dorsally, apical margin bent dorsad, rounded.Valve narrowed to apex, dorso-apical margin strongly bent inward.Harpe unusual, having a single, long, slightly dentate ventral process; no tuft of scales on the surface of the harpe near the base of the process, as in other species.Aedeagus with an apical tooth. Abdomen with 7th sternite short, rounded; 8th tergite sinuate.Anteostial plate with a long, sinuate mesial lobe, the transverse ridge at its base not prominent.