Striped hawk-moth (Hyles livornica)
The striped hawk moth is a member of the family of hawk moths. It has a cosmopolitan distribution and is observed worldwide.
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Scientific Classification
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Hyles
- Scientific Name: Hyles livornica
Description and Identification
Caterpillar
They are green and covered with black stripes. The larvae are around 65-80 mm in length.
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Pupa
Once they mature, the larvae pupate in either leaf litter or soil.
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Adult Moth
Sexual Dimorphism: Present but not prominent. Males are generally smaller than females.
Color and Appearance
The body of the adult moth is olive-brown, with the head and thorax covered with white stripes and big black-and-white side spots, while the abdomen has a black-and-white region. The antennae are a dark olive-brown with white tips.
Forewing: When open, the wings are beige or olive-brown, covered with white stripes. When closed, the patterns remain visible.
Hindwing: When open, the wings are primarily pink but surrounded by black and white edges. When closed, they are completely hidden.
Average wingspan: 60–80 mm
Flight pattern: Erratic
Season: May to October
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Eggs
The eggs of these moths are a translucent green color.
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Quick Facts
| Distribution | Africa, central and east Asia, Australia, southern Europe, and Poland |
| Habitat | Warm, open areas like coastal areas, gardens, and woodland rides |
| Lifespan of Adults | 10-30 days |
| Host Plants | Bedstraw, cotton, dragon flowers, docks, flax, grapevines, spurge, sorrels, and toadflax |
| Adult Diet | Nectar from flowers like Petunia and Red Valerian |
Did You Know
- German naturalist Eugenius Johann Christoph Esper first described this moth in 1780 with the help of a specimen he observed in Livorno, Italy. The location would later be incorporated in its species name, livornica.
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Scientific Classification
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Hyles
- Scientific Name: Hyles livornica
