Hippotion leucocephalus is a moth

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...

 of 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. It is probably found in Africa

Africa

Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...

, but the identity of this taxon, which is known only from the holotype female, is unclear, especially as Röber stated it was presumably a species found in Africa. It may be a better match to Hippotion aurora aurora

Hippotion aurora

Hippotion aurora is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is known from Madagascar, Assumption Island, the Farquhar Islands and the Glorioso Islands....

than to Hippotion celerio

Hippotion celerio

Hippotion celerio, known as the Vine Hawk-Moth or Silver-striped Hawk-Moth, is a moth of the Sphingidae family. It is found in Africa, Southern Europe, Central and Southern Asia and Australia. It can be found further north, because of its migratory nature.-Colouring and marks :The body and forewing...

, but the matter will only be settled by examination of the holotype, the current depository of which is unknown.