Agrius convolvuli
Encyclopedia
The Convolvulus Hawk-moth, Agrius convolvuli, is a large hawkmoth. It is common throughout Europe, Africa and Australia.
is 80-105 mm. This hawkmoth's basic coloration is in grayish tones, but it has delicate colored regular spots on both sides of the abdomen, in black, pink and white rows.
Its favorite time is around sunset and during the twilight, when it is seen in gardens hovering over the flowers. This moth is very attracted to the lights, so it is often smashed by cars in highways. Its caterpillars eat the leaves of the Bindweed
, therefore its Latin
name "convolvuli". Other recorded foodplant include a wide range of plants in the Araceae
, Convolvulaceae
, Leguminosae and Malvaceae
families. It can be a pest of cultivated Ipomoea
. It feeds on the wing and has a very long proboscis (longer than its body) that enables it to feed on long trumpet like flowers such as Nicotiana Sylvestris
.
Description and habits
The wingspanWingspan
The wingspan of an airplane or a bird, is the distance from one wingtip to the other wingtip. For example, the Boeing 777 has a wingspan of about ; and a Wandering Albatross caught in 1965 had a wingspan of , the official record for a living bird.The term wingspan, more technically extent, is...
is 80-105 mm. This hawkmoth's basic coloration is in grayish tones, but it has delicate colored regular spots on both sides of the abdomen, in black, pink and white rows.
Its favorite time is around sunset and during the twilight, when it is seen in gardens hovering over the flowers. This moth is very attracted to the lights, so it is often smashed by cars in highways. Its caterpillars eat the leaves of the Bindweed
Bindweed
Bindweed may refer to:* Convolvulaceae , a family including about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species** Calystegia , a genus of about 25 species of flowering plants...
, therefore its Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
name "convolvuli". Other recorded foodplant include a wide range of plants in the Araceae
Araceae
Araceae are a family of monocotyledonous flowering plants in which flowers are borne on a type of inflorescence called a spadix. The spadix is usually accompanied by, and sometimes partially enclosed in, a spathe or leaf-like bract. Also known as the Arum family, members are often colloquially...
, Convolvulaceae
Convolvulaceae
Convolvulaceae, known commonly as the bindweed or morning glory family, are a group of about 60 genera and more than 1,650 species of mostly herbaceous vines, but also trees, shrubs and herbs.- Description :...
, Leguminosae and Malvaceae
Malvaceae
Malvaceae, or the mallow family, is a family of flowering plants containing over 200 genera with close to 2,300 species. Judd & al. Well known members of this family include okra, jute and cacao...
families. It can be a pest of cultivated Ipomoea
Ipomoea
Ipomoea is the largest genus in the flowering plant family Convolvulaceae, with over 500 species. Most of these are called "morning glories", but this can refer to related genera also. Those formerly separated in Calonyction are called "moonflowers"...
. It feeds on the wing and has a very long proboscis (longer than its body) that enables it to feed on long trumpet like flowers such as Nicotiana Sylvestris
Nicotiana sylvestris
Nicotiana sylvestris is a species of wild tobacco known by the common names Woodland Tobacco and South American Tobacco. It is native to South America, and is often grown in gardens for its scented flowers. The scent is strongest at night, so as to attract pollinating moths...
.