Daphnis hypothous

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]
Synonyms
  • Sphinx hypothous Cramer, 1780

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.

Daphnis hypothous larva (2) and pupa (2a)

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]

Subspecies

Related species

References

  1. ↑ "CATE Creating a Taxonomic eScience - Sphingidae". Cate-sphingidae.org. Archived from the original on 2012-10-26. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  2. ↑ Pittaway AR; Kitching I. "Sphingidae of the Eastern Palaearctic". Tpittaway.tripod.com. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  3. ↑ "Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic". Tpittaway.tripod.com. Retrieved 2011-10-26.
  4. ↑ "Australian Insects". Lepidoptera.butterflyhouse.com.au. 2010-05-24. Retrieved 2011-10-26.

External links