Some Caterpillars of SPHINGIDAE in Australia
 Hawk Moths
 BOMBYCOIDEA
 
  
Don Herbison-Evans,
(donherbisonevans@yahoo.com)
and
Stella Crossley

SPHINGIDAE

eggs
  
SPHINGIDAE

pupae
  
SPHINGIDAE

moths
  
SPHINGIDAE

undersides
  
SPHINGIDAE

forewings

Many Hawk Moth Caterpillars are easily recognised by the dorsal horn on the last segment. It looks quite dangerous, but is quite harmless. Many of the caterpillars are brightly coloured, with diagonal stripes and eyespots. The caterpillars grow to a length of 5 cms. or more. When disturbed, they commonly rear up with their anterior segments arched and their head facing the disturbance. The scientific name of the family is derived from this sphinx-like posture.

Uniquely, keys have been published for identifying the caterpillars of 71 species of Australian SPHINGIDAE in :

   Max S. Moulds, James Tuttle and David Lane.
Hawkmoths of Australia,
Monographs on Australian Lepidoptera Series, Volume 13
pp. 37-41.


Acosmeryx anceus

Acosmeryx cinnamomea

Agrius convolvuli

Agrius godarti

Amplypterus panopus

Angonyx papuana

Cephonodes australis

Cephonodes kingii

Cizara ardeniae

Coenotes arida

Coenotes eremophilae

Coequosa australasiae

Coequosa triangularis

Daphnis moorei

Daphnis placida

Eupanacra splendens

Gnathothlibus eras

Hippotion celerio

Hippotion rosetta

Hippotion scrofa

Hyles livornicoides

Imber tropicus

Macroglossum corythus

Macroglossum errans

Macroglossum nubilum

Macroglossum prometheus

Macroglossum tenebrosa

Nephele subvaria

Psilogramma argos

Psilogramma casuarinae

Psilogramma exigua

Psilogramma menephron nebulosa

Psilogramma papuensis

Theretra celata

Theretra indistincta

Theretra latreillii

Theretra nessus

Theretra oldenlandiae

Theretra queenslandi

Theretra silhetensis

Theretra tryoni

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(updated 31 May 2014, 12 January 2025)