Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Family SPHINGIDAE (hawk moths)
Theria primaria Haworth ( 793-794 )
syn. T. rupicraparia (Denis & Schiffermüller)
Early moth
A generally common species, the greenish to greenish-
brown, white-striped larvae (up to 20 mm long) feeding
on the leaves of hawthorn ( Crataegus ) throughout
April and May. Various kinds of Prunus , especially
blackthorn ( P. spinosa ), are also attacked. Although
associated mainly with hedgerows, minor infestations
are sometimes noted on nursery stock. The moths
appear in January and February. Males (30-32 mm
wingspan) are mainly light greyish brown; the virtually
wingless females are grey, with their rather
angular wing stubs each marked with a dark crossband.
Large-bodied, strong-flying moths with elongate fore
wings. The larvae are stout-bodied, with a characteristic
horn arising from the eighth abdominal segment.
Daphnis nerii (Linnaeus) ( 796-798 )
Oleander hawk moth
A mainly non-resident migratory hawk moth, arriving in
southern Europe annually from Africa and southern
Asia. Further north a rare summer migrant. Host plants
include oleander ( Nerium oleander ) and periwinkle
( Vinca ).
DESCRIPTION
Adult: 90-110 mm wingspan; wings and body deep
olive-green, with irregular whitish and pinkish-white
markings. Larva: up to 120 mm long; body usually
Xanthorhoe fluctuata (Linnaeus) ( 795 )
syn. Cidaria fluctuata (Linnaeus)
Garden carpet moth
Larvae of this generally common species feed on the
foliage of various Brassicaceae from June onwards.
They are sometimes found in small numbers on
wallflower ( Cheiranthus cheiri ) but damage caused to
cultivated plants is of no significance. Individuals (up to
32 mm long) are mainly yellowish green to greyish
brown, with the body tapering gradually towards the
small, pointed, black-marked head. Adults (26-29 mm
wingspan) are mainly whitish to greyish, with darker
markings on the fore wings. They occur most
abundantly in May and June, and in August and
September, resting openly during the daytime on walls,
fences and other surfaces.
796
796 Oleander hawk moth ( Daphnis nerii ).
797
798
797 Final-instar larva of oleander hawk moth ( Daphnis nerii ).
798 Early-instar larva of oleander hawk moth ( Daphnis nerii ).
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