| Daphnis hypothous | |
|---|---|
| Daphnis hypothous, mounted adult | |
| Daphnis hypothous, adult | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Lepidoptera |
| Family: | Sphingidae |
| Genus: | Daphnis |
| Species: | D. hypothous |
| Binomial name | |
| Daphnis hypothous (Cramer, 1780)[1] |
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| Synonyms | |
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Daphnis hypothous is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is known from Sri Lanka, southern and northern India, Nepal, Myanmar, southern China, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It is a rare vagrant to the western Palaearctic ecozone.[2] During the last hundred years a number have been discovered within the Middle East and one was even found in Scotland late last century but this was probably imported as a pupa with cargo.[3]
The wingspan is 86-120 mm. It is a very fast flyer and is attracted to both sweet-smelling flowers and light.
Larvae have been recorded feeding on Rubiaceae species, including Cinchona, Wendlandia and Uncaria species in India. Most instars are green with a brown backward curving tailhorn and a pair of white or red and yellow dorso-lateral stripes. Some instars have various coloured markings along the sides, including a blue eyespot on each side of the metathorax. The final instar is reddish brown.[4]
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