Macroglossum ungues 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 known from Indonesia

Indonesia

Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...

, from Java

Java

Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...

 to Ambon

Ambon Island

Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The island has an area of , and is mountainous, well watered, and fertile. Ambon Island consists of 2 territories: The main city and seaport is Ambon , which is also the capital of Maluku province and Maluku Tengah Ambon Island is part of the...

, and also the Philippines

Philippines

The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...

 and Taiwan

Taiwan

Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...

.

Adults of subspecies cheni are usually active during the day, but are also attracted to light at night. They usually fly fast along the margins or above the canopy of coastal forests. Observed nectar sources are Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis Is a species of plant in the Verbenaceae family. Native throughout the Caribbean, the species is commonly known as blue porterweed or Jamaica vervain. This plant can be found on St...

, Clerodendrum inerme, Nothapodytes foetida, Cerbera manghas

Cerbera manghas

Cerbera manghas is a small evergreen coastal tree growing up 12 m tall. The shiny dark-green leaves are alternate, ovoid in shape. The flowers are fragrant, possessing a white tubular 5 lobed corolla about 3 to 5 cm in diameter, with a pink to red throat. They have 5 stamens and the ovary is...

, Pseucedanum japonicum, Tetrastigma lanyuensis, Ehretia phillippinensis, Aglaia chittagonga

Aglaia chittagonga

Aglaia chittagonga is a species of plant in the Meliaceae family. It is found in Bangladesh, Taiwan, and Thailand.-References:* Pannell, C.M. 1998. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....

, Rourea minor and Capparis lanceolaris.

Larvae of subspecies cheni have been recorded feeding on Paederia scandens var. mairei

Subspecies

• Macroglossum ungues ungues
• Macroglossum ungues cheni Yen, Kitching & Tzen, 2003 (Lanyu Island in Taiwan)