Deilephila
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Deilephila elpenor |
The genus Deilephila is part of the family Sphingidae, the hawk-moths or sphinxes. It consists of a small number of species most of which have common names involving the phrase "Elephant hawk moth". They include the Elephant hawk moth, Deilephila elpenor, the Small Elephant Hawk Moth (D. porcellus) and the Chitral Elephant Hawk Moth (D. rivularis). The Oleander Hawk Moth is sometimes classified in this genus as D. nerii, but sometimes treated in genus Daphnis.
The adults are quite similar to those of the related and larger genus Hyles. However their eyelashes are much more distinct, and the numerous spines on their abdomens are less strongly chitinized. They lay pale glossy green eggs. The larvae are not typical of hawk moth caterpillars, with the horn on the terminal segment being less pronounced than usual, and absent in some species. The head and thorax segments can be retracted into the first and second segments of the abdomen, which then appear enlarged and display eye-spots.
The caterpillars feed mainly on plants of the Willowherb and Bedstraw families (Onagraceae and Rubiaceae) families.
