Agrius cingulata
Encyclopedia
The Pink-spotted Hawkmoth or Sweetpotato Hornworm (Agrius cingulata, synonym: Agrius cingulatus) is a species of moth
in the Sphingidae
family. The imagines
have a wingspan of 3 3/4 - 4 3/4 inches (9.5 - 12 cm).
They have a robust gray brown body with pink bands, hence the name. Their abdomen
tapers to a point. The hindwings are gray with black bands and pink at the base. They are nocturnal, feeding on the nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus
), and petunia (Petunia
species). Larva
e (Caterpillars) are large and stout, and have the characteristic horn of many members of the sphingidae family. They feed during the day and also during the night on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), jimsonweed (Datura
), and other related plants. A. cingulatus can sometimes become pests on the sweet potato vines.
and south up to Patagonia
and the Falkland Islands
. There have even been reports from western Europe
, for example Portugal
. It has recently been established in West Africa
and the Cape Verde
Islands. They presumably arrived there from Brazil
.
Moth
A moth is an insect closely related to the butterfly, both being of the order Lepidoptera. Moths form the majority of this order; there are thought to be 150,000 to 250,000 different species of moth , with thousands of species yet to be described...
in the Sphingidae
Sphingidae
Sphingidae is a family of moths , commonly known as hawk moths, sphinx moths and hornworms, that includes about 1,200 species . It is best represented in the tropics but there are species in every region . They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their rapid,...
family. The imagines
Imago
In biology, the imago is the last stage of development of an insect, after the last ecdysis of an incomplete metamorphosis, or after emergence from the pupa where the metamorphosis is complete...
have a wingspan of 3 3/4 - 4 3/4 inches (9.5 - 12 cm).
Abdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
tapers to a point. The hindwings are gray with black bands and pink at the base. They are nocturnal, feeding on the nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus
Convolvulus
Convolvulus is a genus of about 200 species of flowering plants in the bindweed family Convolvulaceae, with a cosmopolitan distribution. Common names include bindweed and morning glory, both names shared with other closely related genera....
), and petunia (Petunia
Petunia
Petunia is a widely cultivated genus of flowering plants of South American origin, closely related with tobacco, cape gooseberries, tomatoes, deadly nightshades, potatoes and chili peppers; in the family Solanaceae. The popular flower derived its name from French, which took the word petun, meaning...
species). Larva
Larva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
e (Caterpillars) are large and stout, and have the characteristic horn of many members of the sphingidae family. They feed during the day and also during the night on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), jimsonweed (Datura
Datura
Datura is a genus of nine species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe...
), and other related plants. A. cingulatus can sometimes become pests on the sweet potato vines.
Distribution
Originally a neotropical species (but also found on Galapagos and Hawai'i, adults migrate north up to CanadaCanada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and south up to Patagonia
Patagonia
Patagonia is a region located in Argentina and Chile, integrating the southernmost section of the Andes mountains to the southwest towards the Pacific ocean and from the east of the cordillera to the valleys it follows south through Colorado River towards Carmen de Patagones in the Atlantic Ocean...
and the Falkland Islands
Falkland Islands
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago in the South Atlantic Ocean, located about from the coast of mainland South America. The archipelago consists of East Falkland, West Falkland and 776 lesser islands. The capital, Stanley, is on East Falkland...
. There have even been reports from western Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, for example Portugal
Portugal
Portugal , officially the Portuguese Republic is a country situated in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Portugal is the westernmost country of Europe, and is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the West and South and by Spain to the North and East. The Atlantic archipelagos of the...
. It has recently been established in West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
and the Cape Verde
Cape Verde
The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago of 10 islands located in the central Atlantic Ocean, 570 kilometres off the coast of Western Africa...
Islands. They presumably arrived there from Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
.
External links
- Pink-Spotted Hawkmoth Moths of North America Guide
- The Pink-spotted Hawkmoth
- http://vimeo.com/29526799 Video of Sweet Potato Hornworm