Page 436 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION The tropics, subtropics, and temperate regions of the world
(excluding North and South America); rare summer migrant
to Iceland and northern Europe
HABITAT Warm, dry cultivated areas and open scrub or steppe; during
migrations almost anywhere except dense forests
HOST PLANTS Various Convolvulaceae, especially Convolvulus spp.,
Calystegia spp., and Ipomoea spp.
NOTE Sluggish caterpillar of a noted migrant with spectacular

ying skills
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but common in its range

ADULT WINGSPAN
3¾–5 in (95–130 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
4–4¼ in (100–110 mm)
AGRIUS CONVOLVULI
CONVOLVULUS HAWKMOTH
434
(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Convolvulus Hawkmoth caterpillars hatch from spherical eggs
deposited singly on the upper side or underside of a host plant
leaf. Hiding initially beneath a nearby leaf, the larvae slowly
nibble holes through it. By the fourth instar, more is eaten,
and growth accelerates. When fully grown, most (but not all)
caterpillars hide by day and feed only at night. All are extremely
The Convolvulus Hawkmoth caterpillar is sluggish until later stages, when they may wander rapidly in
initially glaucous, with a straight, black-tipped search of a pupation site. Just before this, they anoint themselves
horn, but gradually acquires a light green
coloration through feeding. In the second and with “saliva,” which seems to aid skin darkening, making the
third instar, the ground color deepens further,
and pale yellow lateral stripes appear. By the caterpillars less visible on the ground.
fourth instar, di erent color forms occur, such
as brown, green, and, occasionally, yellow.
The horn is robust, curved, and smooth. Although this species penetrates farther north and in greater
numbers than the Death’s Head Hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos),
it is more cold sensitive, and fewer of its glossy brown pupae
survive northern winters. Even in North Africa and the Middle
East, it is not permanently resident. However, in “good” years
many full-grown larvae can be found in northern gardens. In the
tropics, they can become serious pests of sweet potato.

Actual size