Puneet Varma (Editor)

Deilephila

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Kingdom
  
Order
  
Scientific name
  
Deilephila

Rank
  
Genus

Phylum
  
Family
  
Higher classification
  
Deilephila tpittawaytripodcomchinadelpa4jpg

Lower classifications
  
Elephant Hawk‑moth, Deilephila porcellus, Deilephila rivularis, Deilephila askoldensis

Small elephant hawkmoth caterpillar deilephila porcellus


The genus Deilephila is part of the family Sphingidae, the hawk-moths or sphinxes. It consists of a small number of Palearctic species most of which have common names involving the phrase "Elephant hawk moth". They include the Elephant hawk moth, Deilephila elpenor, the Small Elephant Hawk Moth (D. porcellus) and the Chitral Elephant Hawk Moth (D. rivularis). The Oleander Hawk Moth is sometimes classified in this genus as D. nerii, but sometimes treated in genus Daphnis.

Contents

Deilephila Deilephila elpenor elpenor

The adults are quite similar to those of the related and larger genus Hyles. However their eyelashes are much more distinct, and the numerous spines on their abdomens are less strongly chitinized. They lay pale glossy green eggs. The larvae are not typical of hawk moth caterpillars, with the horn on the terminal segment being less pronounced than usual, and absent in some species. The head and thorax segments can be retracted into the first and second segments of the abdomen, which then appear enlarged and display eye-spots.

Deilephila Deilephila porcellus

The caterpillars feed mainly on plants of the Onagraceae and Rubiaceae families.

Deilephila elpenor mittlerer weinschw rmer elephant hawk moth


Deilephila Deilephila elpenor elpenor

Deilephila Taxonomy Sphingidae Taxonomic Inventory

References

Deilephila Wikipedia