Hippotion velox

Hippotion velox (Fabricius, 1793)
(one synonym : Panacra vigil)
MACROGLOSSINAE , SPHINGIDAE

Hippotion velox
(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

These caterpillars have eyespots along the sides, and uniquely: a horn on the tail that curves forwards. In Australia, the caterpillars feed on:

but overseas they have been found on :

Pullback ( Pisonia aculeata, NYCTAGINACEAE )

Kachri ( Alocasia indica, ARACEAE ), and

The Caterpillar pupates in a shelter of leaves joined by silk.

(Photo: courtesy of Pekka Tokola, University of Oulu, Finland)

The adult moth is brown with a paler marginal half to each of the forewings. The moth has a wingspan of about 6 cms.

The species occurs from India to Fiji, including :

Thailand,
and the northern half of Australia, including:

Further reading :

Ian F.B. Common,
Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, fig. 41.8, pp. 43, 410, 414.

Australian
Australian Butterflies

Australian
Australian Moths

(updated 8 November 2011)