Also called the Vine Hawk Moth (Hippotion celerio)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yvmrg2cpQ0XB4ZcteXyhVJSASxkX0ApQE5AjkGU6IP9juoowNFycsxlZj1-625MUaWfU1JWVx8zex5yPYVAr4P98-rDdzSLIPHUegZagZlGFvcD-RjLGXl-jluq_ys8KpWIHpXifqlRV/s400/1_101_7933a.jpg)
This is a medium size moth and found throughout South Africa.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy6JNEwmopuJffLkmwKHOqrUqmbGdVS_jLUIeD4S55vBuKXP7V0Ruw-7F0sIGEXg06TFTtZEAGDQBf47_I2c8Nu2CPQCQPKNuga1R4d__3PsiAlB9kS9wGnaZoPYxa2mOK9jCUvWBI8voG/s400/2_101_7934a.jpg)
The larvae feed on grape vines, carrot tops and Arum Lilies amongst other things.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisoJwCuj_7jIc1pYn1OeAlejWDbXWZe0PUj4KgL2hzZFhUXMFr7PGr-BFeD1tp8bdDVr_Vsfh6kwt82X9f2JFmz6kahnyMrAn2umapscXpRxJK26m2tx0dEhToQDsSH7deT4ohZiQjUApz/s400/3_IMG_10116a.JPG)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0f_O8siJHu4a4bM8CxCeJEJDfznqL5O5wh6zvndhbk7Ir1s4x8EcWYyCIk1UKtmuhtjWXRf-AYCkDseiP7b1bVUaROprlxfmaJ1VxD0IE2K7Nw90wLSy8m6-9X3mCVLbXFWZsD0lG4Otr/s400/4_IMG_10115a.JPG)
Although active for only short periods, its powerful and rapid flight enables it to cover great distances; it is frequently attracted to light.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHMLcxV7JvWU3EF-wqRRkvti2O49bgOnQYjb2WjVns_LlfpKk2f9MVMiEStsXY9gA710dzJaOu2CA0rl8KW0cL_BoMsAkD1EjwNfvtqU7fsSBp_YBOuvd-oj1MGjpvCX54WhAzkLfhGVbD/s400/5_IMG_10116b.JPG)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH2jOtRAFO0UzoLaJ-j5GizAUqhr-eOIEaoH5GxWqwF8dBDRlJIa2fmTfynaQ9SY-3U9TlbyX2rULGL3eeCMZ_RM4C_laVUjpsuuX8HQTC68DtgswloMH5YukLDkXd7t8V1Yyv8Y0VGb17/s400/7_IMG_10132a.JPG)
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1X5icnJFrRZx5dLD5JXRi2Rf3pUv4SksGQCCGFmj6dFUTVSplA0vRtpc16ZOrw5a-JPU6Zzv7I2krV60vfkhmNh9f4J_bc5o5ptcgW0C8MXvb4deUVSFUaX1Ce9rW3xtd9ABdzYTO6BeZ/s400/7_101_7942a.jpg)
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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