Page 444 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION
DIS TRIBUTION Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina
DISTRIBUTION
HABIT
HABITAT T Forests
HABITAT
A
HOST PLANTS
HOST PLANTS
HOS T PLANT S Grapevine (Vitis spp.)
NO
NOTE Large, variably colored caterpillar that pupates underground
TE
NOTE
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but generally common
CONSERVATION STATUS
CONSERV
T
TION S
A
TUS
A
ADULT WINGSPAN
3¾–5 in (95–130 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
3⅜–3¾ in (85–95 mm)
EUMORPHA ANALIS
EUMORPHA ANALIS
442
(ROTHSCHILD & JORDAN, 1903)
Eumorpha analis caterpillars, which specialize in feeding on
plants in the grapevine family, come in a green and a dark form,
like many hawkmoths, as well as many intermediate forms.
Host plant quality is suspected to be a factor in determining
the caterpillar color. Development is rapid, and the caterpillars
consume a considerable amount of foliage. Pupation occurs a
few inches below ground in an earthen cell, and just prior to
adult emergence the pupa wriggles to the surface to allow the
moth to escape the pupal case unimpeded.

The Eumorpha analis caterpillar in its green In most warmer, northerly locations there are several generations,
form is light to medium green and covered and adults eclose and y throughout the year; but in colder more

profusely with many tiny, white dots. There
is no posterior horn. Laterally, there are three southerly areas pupae overwinter. Adult moths are nocturnal
white, oval to elongated markings, outlined in

black on the nal three segments. The head and feed on many kinds of deep-throated owers. They are often
is green, and the spiracles appear pinkish. attracted to lights. Females “call” males at night by releasing
The true legs and prolegs are green.
pheromones from their abdomen tip, allowing the males to
locate them e ectively from a mile or more away.

Actual size