Let’s meet the striped hawk moth, a small insect with a burst of vibrant hues when its wings unfold. This medium-sized marvel conceals a stunning secret that captivates onlookers. Join us as we discover some interesting facts about this moth.
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Hyles
They are beautiful
The striped hawk moth is a type of hawk moths with vibrant colors and unique patterns. This species displays sexual dimorphism, with males typically being slightly smaller than their female counterparts. Both genders exhibit comparable coloration, showcasing an olive-brown or beige body adorned with eye-catching white stripes. Further enhancing their visual allure, the head, thorax, and abdomen showcase additional black and white markings.
The true beauty of the striped hawk moth unfolds when its wings are spread. While the forewings mirror the colors of its body, the real spectacle lies in the hindwings. Hidden when closed, these wings unfurl to showcase a dazzling burst of pink with black and white edges. This striking combination captivates the onlooker with a truly mesmerizing display.
Measuring an average wingspan of 60-80 millimeters, this moth is of medium size. These moths are typically active from May to October. The striped hawk moth is not dangerous.
Habitat
This moth can be found across Africa, Asia, Australia, southern Europe, and Poland. It lives in warm, open habitats such as gardens, coastal areas, and woodland rides.
Striped hawk moth Diet
The caterpillar of striped hawkmoths exhibits a diverse diet, consuming leaves, flower heads, and seed heads of various plants. Their food can be buckwheat, flax, willowherbs, sorrels, bedstraw, snapdragons, dragon flowers, cotton, sorrels, hedge bedstraw, and rosebay. As an adult, it sustains itself by eating nectar from flowers, including those of red valerian and petunia.
Life cycle
The captivating journey of the striped hawk moth commences with a delicate translucent green egg. As the egg hatches, the larvae emerge, revealing a striking green body adorned with distinctive black stripes. Notably, the caterpillar’s coloration may vary, ranging from bright to dark brown or even black. It has a size of around 65-80 mm in length. As they grow, the caterpillar can reach up to 85 mm in length. During this stage, all they have to do is eat.
When the time comes for transformation, the caterpillar pupates, seeking refuge in the soil or leaf litter. In hot climates, continuous brooding may occur. However, despite this adaptation, the pupae are vulnerable and unable to endure the harsh conditions of cold winters.
As emergence approaches, the moth breaks free from the pupal case, unfolding its wings that have been intricately developed during the pupal stage. The lifespan of this striped hawk moth only lasts for 10 – 30 days.
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