Psilogramma menephron

Psilogramma menephron (Cramer, 1780)
(one synonym : Macrosila jordana)
Australasian Privet Hawk Moth
SPHINGINAE, SPHINGIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 24 February 2008)

early instar
(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Brisbane)

Initially this caterpillar is green with a strong nearly straight horn on its tail pointing backwards.

later instar
(Photo: courtesy of Joanne Edelman, Albury, NSW)

Later it develops a series of diagonal white stripes on its sides. The caterpillar is an agricultural pest on

Olive trees ( Olea europaea, OLEACEAE ),

but is perhaps most often found in suburbia on

Privet ( Ligustrum vulgare, OLEACEAE ), and

White Jasmine ( Jasminum polyanthum, OLEACEAE ).

It has also been found on plants of other families, such as :

Trumpet Creeper ( Campsis radicans, BIGNONIACEAE ),

Yellow Elder ( Tecoma stans, BIGNONIACEAE ),

Japanese Honeysuckle ( Lonicera japonica, CAPRIFOLIACEAE ),

Cotoneaster ( Cotoneaster species, ROSACEAE ),

Snapdragon ( Antirrhinum majus, SCROPHULARIACEAE ), and

Pagoda Plant ( Clerodendrum paniculatum, VERBENACEAE ).

As it matures, it becomes voracious, being observed to eat at least 28 leaves from the small-leaved privet tree a day.

Brown form of the caterpillar
(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Brisbane)

As well as the green form, there is also a brown form of the caterpillar (which usually still has areas of green on it). The coloration of both forms of the caterpillar look very striking, but when the caterpillar is on a Privet bush, the spacing of the stripes is about the same as that of the leaves, and the Caterpillar becomes very hard to see. This use of colour to hide is a form of camouflage.

defensive posture
(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The caterpillar is most easily located by observing the black fecal pellets under the bush where it is feeding. When disturbed, the caterpillar lifts the front of its body, and bends its head underneath, exposing a series of white warts on its shoulders. The caterpillar grows to a length of about 8 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

When the Caterpillar is fully grown, it leaves the food plant and walks up to 20 metres to pupate under the surface debris of loose soil and leaves. The pupa, like that of many Hawk Moths, has a separate compartment at one end in which the haustellum develops.

(Photo: courtesy of the Macleay Museum, University of Sydney)

The adult moth has long narrow wings which are a boring grey colour, with a darker grey wavy pattern. The abdomen is grey with a dark dorsal line. The moth typically rests with the tip of the abdomen curled under the body. The male can make a hissing sound by rubbing parts of its body together.