Also called the Vine Hawk Moth (Hippotion celerio)
This is a medium size moth and found throughout South Africa.
The larvae feed on grape vines, carrot tops and Arum Lilies amongst other things.
Its cryptic coloration, whatever the variation, makes this species difficult to see as it rests during daylight hours on stones, walls, tree-trunks, or amongst foliage.
Although active for only short periods, its powerful and rapid flight enables it to cover great distances; it is frequently attracted to light.
On hatching, the 4mm-long larva is pale yellow with a disproportionately long black horn. It immediately consumes its eggshell, then moves off to find a resting place on the lower surface of a leaf.
As with most larvae exhibiting anterior eye-spots, the head is retracted when the larva is alarmed, expanding the large eye-spots on the first abdominal segment.
When feeding, it rarely consumes the whole of a leaf; shoots with quarter- or half-eaten leaves often indicate the presence of a larva.
This is a medium size moth and found throughout South Africa.
The larvae feed on grape vines, carrot tops and Arum Lilies amongst other things.
Its cryptic coloration, whatever the variation, makes this species difficult to see as it rests during daylight hours on stones, walls, tree-trunks, or amongst foliage.
Although active for only short periods, its powerful and rapid flight enables it to cover great distances; it is frequently attracted to light.
On hatching, the 4mm-long larva is pale yellow with a disproportionately long black horn. It immediately consumes its eggshell, then moves off to find a resting place on the lower surface of a leaf.
As with most larvae exhibiting anterior eye-spots, the head is retracted when the larva is alarmed, expanding the large eye-spots on the first abdominal segment.
When feeding, it rarely consumes the whole of a leaf; shoots with quarter- or half-eaten leaves often indicate the presence of a larva.
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