Convolvulus Hawk Moth

Description:

Agrius convolvuli L. 1758. The wingspan is 80–105 mm. This hawkmoth's basic coloration is in grayish tones, but the abdomen has a broad gray dorsal stripe and pink and black bands edged with white on the sides. The hindwings are light gray with darker broad crosslines. Wikipedia. It may seem lazy to just quote someone else's descriptions, but I find that most of what is available in Wikipedia is so much better than I could do.

Habitat:

The specimen shown here was reared in captivity from a final instar larva which I collected from Sweet Potato leaves (Ipomoea batatas) bordering a rice field. I was uncertain of the species, other than recognizing it as a Hawk Moth because of the tail horn. It was gorging itself, as all Hawk Moths do. So I harvested a bundle of the leaves and brought them home with the specimen. It continued eating, like a machine, on the way home and in its cage, into the night. By the next morning, it had already pupated. So I was just on time.

Notes:

The incubation period of this one was 17 days, at the end of which it revealed itself to be a glorious A. convolvuli. Then came the moment of release which is pictured here. I know that many nature lovers frown upon captive rearing and captive breeding because they feel that we should not interfere. I have a great deal of respect for that view and, for much of my life embraced it. However, during my retirement years I have had a little more time to observe and ponder ideas like this. The turning point for me was quite distinct. I have lived all of my retirement in a village (Barangay) in the Philippines (and love it !). Some years back, the local council decided to send out teams of workers to cut the vegetation along the roadsides (this had previously been done by the residents). They were very efficient in cutting down all the grasses and foliage and the end result was very clean and tidy. This practice continues to this day and the entire Barangay is much neater as a result. However, the verges which were so well trimmed, were a haven for Hawk Moths which laid their eggs on the numerous varieties of leaves, especially Corazon de Maria (Caladium bicolour). So the tidying-up had a down side, the Hawk Moth population plumetted. So I decided to go out at the appropriate time (the onset of the rainy season) and collect as many eggs and larvae as possible before the grass cutters arrived. I then, with my wife's help, ensured that we were growing copious amounts of host plants in our garden to feed all my "refugees" and set about the task of feeding, cleaning out loads of frass and generally taking care of them. I had the time of my life doing these little chores. I'm pretty sure the neighbours think I am crazy - and they are probably right ! however old age has now rather caught up with me so I cannot 'fight the good fight' anymore, I take great comfort from the belief that I helped these beautiful creatures a little and they have given me so much pleasure.