A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Agrius convolvuli
Hawk moth about 5cm. I was able to take some shots before it flew away. Agrius convolvuli (Linnaeus, 1758), called Convolvulus Hawkmoth, or Sweetpotato Hornworm, adult is a large greyish brown hawk moth with black lines on the wings and reddish-pink markings on the abdomen.
Spotted in the backyard amongst the orchid plants.
Reference: http://tpittaway.tripod.com/china/a_con..... http://tpittaway.tripod.com/sphinx/a_con.... http://www.sphin-sea.unibas.ch/SphinSEA/....
Oh, now I know the reason for its action. The moth was really more beautiful in person than in my pictures, the pink abdomen more vivid especially when it was flapping its wings.
I had read a users post here somewhere a while back that they do that to warm up their bodies.
Thanks next! It seemed it was trying to gain momentum before it was able to fly away.
Thanks Uday and Leana. I checked that it is a sweet potato hornworm, occurring prevalently in Asia, adult is a large greyish brown hawkmoth with black lines on the wings and pink markings on the abdomen. Perfect! The one I saw from Thailand is greyish only, no brown. I will update the ID accordingly. Thanks for all the help! Yey!
Yes, I agree, Agrias convolvuli is definitely a better match. I probably focus too much on these 2 dark stripes, but didn't notice the red spots on the body. Sorry and good job Uday!
Thanks bayucca! I checked those that can be found in the Philippines but found no match. What I found the nearest is from Thailand, a neighboring country. http://makro-naturfotos.de/Bilder/Insekt....
Need to be verified. Can't get closer for your area, there are too many around.
Spotted on Nov 10, 2012
Submitted on Nov 17, 2012
