Pink-spotted Hawkmoth

Description:

The Pink-spotted Hawkmoth or Sweetpotato Hornworm (Agrius cingulata, synonym: Agrius cingulatus) is a species of moth in the Sphingidae family. The imagines have a wingspan of 3¾ - 4¾ inches (9.5 – 12 cm). They have a robust gray brown body with pink bands, hence the name. Their abdomen tapers to a point. The hindwings are gray with black bands and pink at the base. They are nocturnal, feeding on the nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), and petunia (Petunia species). Larvae (Caterpillars) are large and stout, and have the characteristic horn of many members of the sphingidae family. They feed during the day and also during the night on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), jimsonweed (Datura), and other related plants. A. cingulatus can sometimes become pests on the sweet potato vines.

Notes:

This moth fell out of a beach chair that was left on the beach overnight.