Silver-striped Hawk Moth

Description:

Sphingidae; Hippotion celerio. The caterpillar shown here is a final instar Hippotion celerio larva. It has not yet entered the pre-pupation stage and is still eating. H. celerio is a very common Hawk Moth in the Philippines, but this larva is rather special. It is a rare Blue-Grey Form. Rather interestingly, this larva would would be indistinguishable from the normal green and brown forms from the time it hatched from the egg until it reaches the final instar. Then this amazing transformation takes place. As far as I know, there is no way of predicting which larvae will morph into this form. It is very beautiful and I consider myself privileged to have encountered this one (and one or two others). I find it interesting also that when this rare form eventually ecloses from pupation, it is once again indistinguishable from its peers. Its moment of glory is brief.

Habitat:

Spotted on a Pink Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) in our front yard.