Page 449 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina
HABITAT Rangeland, xeric (dry) areas, gardens, and parks

HOST PLANTS Willowherb (Epilobium spp.), four o’clock ower (Mirabilis spp.),
evening primrose (Oenothera spp.), grapevine (Vitis spp.), tomato
(Lycopersicon spp.), purslane (Portulaca spp.), and Toothed Spurge
(Euphorbia dentate)
NOTE Dramatically black caterpillar, that is sometimes a pest of grapes
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated, but usually common

ADULT WINGSPAN
2⅜–2¾ in (60–70 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
2⅜–2¾ in (60–70 mm)
HYLES ANNEI
HYLES ANNEI 447

(GUÉRIN-MÉNEVILLE, 1839)

Hyles annei adult females lay glossy, green eggs singly on the
leaves of their host plants. The caterpillars develop rapidly,
taking about a month from egg hatch to pupation, with adults
appearing a further three weeks later. Before the adults emerge
from the pupal case, pupae wriggle their way to the soil surface
to help e ect a successful exit. Females release a pheromone

from the tip of their abdomen soon after emergence, which
attracts males for mating. There are at least two generations
a year in northern areas of the range but only one in the south.

Occasionally, Hyles annei caterpillars can be an economic pest
and cause damage to grapevines, particularly plants that have The Hyles annei caterpillar is glossy jet
been newly established in an area with a high moth population. black with seven subspiracular, dark red
Largely nocturnal, most adults rest by day on stones, low dots. The head, posterior horn, true legs,
and prolegs are also dark red, as is a
walls, among low vegetation, or even on the ground. They will dorsal collar on segment one. There are

sometimes y during the day, however, and visit owers. four distinct, transverse ridges posteriorly

on each segment. The spiracles are white.

Actual size