Page 465 - The Book of Caterpillars: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred Species From Around the World

MOTH CATERPILLARS

FAMILY Sphingidae
DISTRIBUTION Northeast India, Nepal, southwest China, northern Thailand,
and northern Vietnam
HABITAT Mountainous forests and woodlands
HOST PLANTS Unknown in the wild, but likely to be ivy (Ilex spp.), which the
caterpillar feeds on in captivity

NOTE Well-camou aged montane hawkmoth caterpillar
CONSERVATION STATUS Not evaluated

ADULT WINGSPAN
4–4⅛ in (100–105 mm)
CATERPILLAR LENGTH
3–3⅜ in (75–85 mm)
PENTATEUCHA CURIOSA
HIRSUTE HAWKMOTH 463

SWINHOE, 1908

Hirsute Hawkmoth caterpillars hatch from eggs laid singly on
host plants by the female just a few days after mating; the moths
rarely live beyond ve days. The eggs are relatively small for

the size of moth and glossy jade green when rst laid, turning
shiny bronze within 36 hours and taking about 30 days to hatch.
First instars rest on the underside of a leaf along the midrib and
feed by eating the leaf tip backward, well camou aged by their

leaf-green color. When not feeding, mature caterpillars cling
on to the leaf using the last two sets of prolegs, with the anterior
part of the body raised. Growth is rapid, with comparatively
little food consumed.

Pupation takes place underground in an earthen cell, with the
dark brown pupa appearing to be vulnerable to desiccation. This

species occurs in mountainous areas and ies during winter and
early spring. The adults eclose in early evening, and mating
occurs immediately, the males presumably nding females by

locating and following pheromone trails.

The Hirsute Hawkmoth caterpillar is leaf green,
blending in perfectly with its surroundings. Actual size
There is a pale green stripe dorsolaterally, and
the posterior horn is bright green. The white
spiracles are slit-like and outlined in black.
The true legs are orange, and the prolegs are
green. The head is green, bordered each side
with a white stripe.