Distribution:

southern USA (California,  Arizona, New Mexico  east to mid Texas), also northern Mexico (Sinaloa, Sonora, Cohahuila)

Wingspan:

In between (4,5) 6 (males) and 7,5 centimeter (females)

Season:

usually at least two flights in between June and October (November). Pupae overwinter.

Food plants:

Fabaceae (Gleditsia, Acacia, Parkinsonia, Prosopis, Medicago sativa …). Will accept Robinia, but in general does not do well on it. 

Rearing:

Not an easy species. Keep warm, dry and clean, in well ventilated plastic containers when young, but move to a netted cage when older. Be advised that cut Fabaceae do not stay fresh very long in a netted cage. Caterpillars respond badly to poor quality food, so you might even need to change food twice a day.  Fast growing and ready to pupate within 4 weeks (or even less). The pupal stage in between flights is short (approximately 4  weeks). The warmer the faster they develop. Pupae after the last flight in autumn can be overwintered frost free in a cool, unheated room. The fridge is not recommended. For those in Europe without access to their preferred food plants, Medicago sativa is a well accepted alternative, with much better results then on Robinia.

Difficulties:

finding a suitable food plant