Hawkmoth Larva

[loboclerk]

Not entirely sure if this is a Privet Hawkmoth Larva, seeking confirmation here.

#1 Full body


#2 Face


#3 Found nearby. Elder brother??


Thanks in advance for any info.

[Painted Jezebel]

Sorry, but I am not sure what species you mean by Privet Hawkmoth. This is the name usually associated with the species Sphinx ligustri, a large hawkmoth found from Europe across palearctic asia to Japan, but not as far south as Singapore.

If you do mean that, the the larva is not that species, in S. ligustri larvae, there is a dark stripe immediately above the whitish stripe on each segment. I used to breed this species by the hundreds back in England.

Please also note that hawkmoths pupate underground.

[Painted Jezebel]

Sorry, but I am not sure what species you mean by Privet Hawkmoth. This is the name usually associated with the species Sphinx ligustri, a large hawkmoth found from Europe across palearctic asia to Japan, but not as far south as Singapore.

If you do mean that, the the larva is not that species, in S. ligustri larvae, there is a dark stripe immediately above the whitish stripe on each segment. I used to breed this species by the hundreds back in England.

Please also note that hawkmoths pupate underground.

[loboclerk]

Thanks for the info Les.

I saw several photos labelled privet hawkmoth larva which looked similar to what I had, but there were slight differences. Wasn't sure if they could be the same but of different stages of maturity.

Thanks for the clarification.

[atronox]

That whitish lump might indicate that the larva has been parasitised.

[Habibi18]

That whitish lump might indicate that the larva has been parasitised.

I was going to say mantid ootheca on that one.

The cat I've no clue on either other then it's a Sphingidae member. *^^*

[hkmoths]

The "Privet Hawk" in question is the Australian vernacular for Psilogramma increta.

Best to check out Tony Pittaway's Sphingidae of the Eastern Palaearctic website, where this species is well illustrated. The larva is polymorphic. I think your tentative i.d. is correct.

cheers,
Roger.

[Habibi18]

The "Privet Hawk" in question is the Australian vernacular for Psilogramma increta.

Best to check out Tony Pittaway's Sphingidae of the Eastern Palaearctic website, where this species is well illustrated. The larva is polymorphic. I think your tentative i.d. is correct.

cheers,
Roger.

Thanks a million for this!

[Painted Jezebel]

The "Privet Hawk" in question is the Australian vernacular for Psilogramma increta.

Thanks, Roger. This is why I always prefer to include the scientific name as well, causes less confusion.

[Grass Demon]

Originally Posted by atronox.
That whitish lump might indicate that the larva has been parasitised.

Yes, the cat is most likely parasited. Hawk moths usually pupate underground.