Oleander Hawk Moth

Description:

Fully-grown larvae (100-130mm) show little difference from younger ones, except for the change in eye-spots, and the horn losing its bulbous cap and becoming orange with a black tip, finely warted, and downward curved. In some individuals the dorsal surface is rosy, while in most the dorso-lateral line becomes edged in blue. "In their final instar, some assume a bronze colour with rosy red anterior segments, which tends to mask the pre-pupation plum coloration; in all, however, the newly acquired blue-black dorsal pigmentation, the now black eye-spots and unchanged white spots on either side of the dorso-lateral line remain prominent." "When young, larvae feed fully exposed on the topmost leaves and flowers; when larger, they tend to conceal themselves further down the branches, or even, when not feeding during daylight hours, on the ground under stones or leaf-litter. Those choosing to remain on the hostplant rest along the lower surface or stem of a leaf, with the first four segments of the body slightly hunched. When first disturbed the caterpillar stretches out to resemble an oleander leaf. With further disturbance, the anterior segments are arched up, suddenly revealing the startling eye-spots; at this point the noxious gut contents may also be regurgitated."

Habitat:

They tend to live on the topmost leaves and flowers; when larger, they tend to conceal themselves further down the branches, or even, when not feeding during daylight hours, on the ground under stones or leaf-litter. Those choosing to remain on the hostplant rest along the lower surface or stem of a leaf, with the first four segments of the body slightly hunched. When first disturbed the caterpillar stretches out to resemble an oleander leaf. We usually found in Southern Mediterranean region, North Africa and the Middle East to Afghanistan, the Mediterranean,southern Italy and southern Greece, south-east Asia and the Philippines, central Europe and central southern Asia

Notes:

I found it in front of my house Pruksachart village,eastern Bangkok ,in the small tree which is called Desert Rose.When I saw it,it was eating the leaves.It's very beautiful caterpillar and I believe the mold was living around here because I found this caterpillar many many times and they were eating all my leaves!!!