ANIMAL SPECIES:Privet Hawk Moth
The Privet Hawk Moth is a large, dull grey moth whose green caterpillars feed on Privet.
Identification
The caterpillars of the Privet Hawk Moth are green with diagonal white stripes and have a horn present on the end of their tail. This horn looks dangerous, but is quite harmless.
Size range
12 cm wingspanDistribution
The Privet Hawk Moth is found in eastern and northern Australia.
Habitat
The Privet Hawk Moth lives in urban areas, forests and woodlands.
Behaviour and adaptations
Feeding and Diet
The caterpillars of the Privet Hawk Moth are commonly seen in Sydney feeding on privet. They also eat jasmine and a number of other plants.
Other behaviours and adaptations
When disturbed, male Privet Hawk Moths may make a hissing sound by rubbing together a specialised set of scales and spines at the end of the abdomen.
Classification
- Species:
- menephron
- Genus:
- Psilogramma
- Subfamily:
- Sphinginae
- Family:
- Sphingidae
- Superfamily:
- Sphingoidea
- Order:
- Lepidoptera
- Class:
- Insecta
- Subphylum:
- Uniramia
- Phylum:
- Arthopoda
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
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Privet Hawk Moth View full size
R.Jessop
© Australian Museum
Privet Hawk Moth caterpillar View full size
Matthew Bulbert
© Matthew Bulbert
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