Yam hawkmoth Theretra nessus (Drury, 1773) | Butterflies and Moths of North America

Family: Sphingidae

Subfamily:

Identification: An unmistakable species, characterized by the green band along the costal margin of the forewing upperside (which fades in museum specimens), the falcate apex of the forewing and the pair of broad, deep golden lateral stripes on the abdomen. Head and thorax olive-green, thorax suffused with ferruginous; a grey lateral stripe from palpus to end of thorax. Labial palp segment two more triangular than in other Theretra species; opening between segments 1 and 2 large, with some single long scales protruding. Outer row of forebasitarsal spines doubled and tripled.

Wing Span: 3.6-4.8 cm

Life History:

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Range: It is found in Sri Lanka, India (including the Andaman and Nicobar islands), Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, southern China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, northern Australia and New Caledonia.[2] It is a recent immigrant in Oahu.

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