Hippotion velox

Hippotion velox (Fabricius, 1793)
(one synonym : Panacra vigil)
MACROGLOSSINAE, SPHINGIDAE

(updated 6 June 2004)

(Photo: courtesy of Pekka Tokola, University of Oulu, Finland)

These caterpillars have eyespots along the sides, and uniquely: a horn on the tail that curves forwards. In Australia, the caterpillars feed on:

but overseas they have been found on :

Kachri ( Alocasia indica, ARACEAE ),

Pullback ( Pisonia aculeata, NYCTAGINACEAE ).

The Caterpillar pupates in a shelter of leaves joined by silk.

The adult moth is brown with a paler marginal half to each of the forewings. The moth has a wingspan of about 6 cms.

The species occurs from India to Fiji, including :

and the northern half of Australia.