Theretra nessus (Drury, 1773)
(one synonym : Sphinx equestris)
Yam Hawk Moth
MACROGLOSSINAE, SPHINGIDAE

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

(updated 21 January 2008)


(Picture: by Mell, 1922, courtesy of Tony Pittaway and Ian Kitching,
The Natural History Museum, London)

The Caterpillars of this species are initially green, but later instars are brown. The caterpillars are an agricultural pest, feeding on :

  • Elephants Ear ( Alocasia macrorrhizos, ARACEAE ), and
  • Yam ( Dioscorea species, DIOSCOREACEAE ).

    The caterpillars can grow to a length of 12 cms.


    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

    The adult moths have light and dark brown wings. The moth has a wingspan of about 9 cms.

    It is found from India to the south-west Pacific, including

  • Borneo,
  • China,
  • Hawaii,
  • Hong Kong,
  • the Philippines,
  • Taiwan,
  • Thailand, and
  • New South Wales and Queensland in Australia.


    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, p. 415.


    previous
    back
    caterpillar
    Australian
    Australian Butterflies
    butterflies
    Australian
    home
    caterpillars
    Australian
    Australian Moths
    moths
    next
    next
    caterpillar