| Spurge Hawk-moth (Hyles euphorbiae (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Hyles euphorbiae (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Spurge Hawk-moth French name: Sphinx de l'Euphorbe Order: Lepidoptera Suborder: Heterocera Family: Sphingidae Subfamily: Macroglossinae Wingspan: 55 to 75 mm. Biotope: Meadows on the plains and at altitude. Geographic area: From Western Europe east to northern India and China, introduced into the United States of America. Flight time: May to September. Number of generations : 1 to 2. Caterpillar: The caterpillars are quite variable in appearance. In the final stage of development, they are bright red on at least the head, legs, and tail, except for the tip, which is black. There is also a red dorsal and lateral line. The rest of the body has black areas dotted with white, and/or red areas, as well as large, rounded whitish or yellowish spots. These caterpillars are toxic due to the host plants they consume. Host plant: Spurges (Euphorbia spp). |
The Spurge Hawk-moth has a beige upperside with olive-brown patterns. There are three spots near the costal edge, not all of which are visible, with the one at the base of the wing being the largest. There is also a long, narrow, triangular submarginal spot with its tip at the apex of the wing and extending to the inner edge. The wing margin is a beige-brown colour, a little darker than the wing ground colour. The hindwings are bright pink edged with black. They also have a white spot near the inner edge and a beige marginal border. |
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It was hard not to see this caterpillar as it peacefully crossed the hiking trail. |
André Bon April 2025