Page 448 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION Europe, tropical Africa, Egypt, India, Asia, and Australia
HABITAT Wide-ranging, in gardens, parks, and open areas
HOST PLANTS Many, including grapevine (Vitis spp.), Parthenocissus spp.,
Galium spp., Fuchsia spp., Epilobium spp., and Beta spp.
NOTE Snake-mimicking caterpillar of a common migratory hawkmoth
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but usually common

ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅜–3⅛ in (60–80 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
3⅛–3½ in (80–90 mm)
HIPPOTION CELERIO
SILVER-STRIPED HAWKMOTH
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(LINNAEUS, 1758)

Silver-striped Hawkmoth females lay variably sized, glossy,
bluish-green eggs singly on upper and lower surfaces of host
plant leaves, usually near a growing tip. The eggs hatch after
ve to ten days, depending on temperature, as green rst instars

with disproportionately long, black horns. The caterpillars are

well camou aged on host plants and spend much time resting on
The Silver-striped Hawkmoth caterpillar is the underside of leaves, with most feeding happening at night.
light brown to pinkish tan and covered with When disturbed, they in ate their anterior eyespot segments to

small white dots. There are seven dark brown,
oblong-shaped markings laterally along the appear snakelike.
body. The anterior end has two pairs of eyespots
and darker brown, broad stripes on the rst
three segments. The head and all legs are Green and brown morphs occur later in larval life, although,
tan colored, and the posterior horn is short,
straight, and black. unlike many other hawkmoth larvae, the caterpillars do not
change color prior to pupation, which takes place on or just
below the ground surface in a loosely spun, brown cocoon.
In southern parts of its range, the Silver-striped Hawkmoth

breeds throughout the year with up to ve generations annually,
while in northern areas it is a summer migrant. Tachinid fly
parasitoids regulate the species by parasitizing caterpillars.

Actual size