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

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

Theretra nessus
(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.

    Theretra nessus
    (Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

    The adult moths have light and dark brown wings. The abdomen has a gold stripe along each side. The moth has a wingspan of about 9 cms.

    Theretra nessus
    (Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

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

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

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig. 42.3, p. 415.

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    (updated 19 November 2011)