Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Sphingidae Scientific name Macroglossum heliophila | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Macroglossum Rank Species | |
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Similar Macroglossum, Macroglossum sitiene, Macroglossum corythus, Macroglossum belis, Butterflies and moths | ||
macroglossum heliophila boisduval 1875
Macroglossum heliophila (broad-bordered hummingbird hawkmoth) is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It is found from north-eastern India (Sikkim) across southern China to Cheju Island (South Korea), southern Japan, Taiwan and the Philippines and then south through Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia to New Guinea and neighbouring islands. It is also known from Sri Lanka and Queensland.
Contents
S0ny a6300 macroglossum heliophila
Description
The wingspan is 50–60 mm. Head, thorax, and first two abdominal segments are rufus colored. Third and fourth abdominal segments are with latrea; yellow bands and paired black dorsal spots. There is a black dorsal spot on terminal segment. Ventral side is reddish. Fore wings are greyish brown. Antemedial band is wide and recurved along inner margin. Two curved postmedial diffused bands which are dark with reddish brown can be seen on their inner sides. Subapical markings are indistinct. Hind wings and ventral side is similar to Macroglossum sitiene.
There are two main color forms in larva. In the green form, head is yellowish-green with basal segment of antenna is greenish. Other segments are red. Eyes brownish. In the dark-colored form, the head is pale brown. Body dark smoky olive-green or olive-brown, dotted with white. A bluish-black dorsal stripe is present. Horn reddish in both forms. Pupa is pinkish bone-color, but head, thorax and wing-case tinged with green.
Ecology
There are several generations per year in Hong Kong, with adults on wing in April and from June to December.
The larvae feed on Psychotria rubra in Hong Kong and Psychotria dalzellii in India. Other recorded foodplants include Morinda species. There are green, reddish brown and black forms of the fully grown larva. Early instars are blood red with honey yellow at the anterior and posterior, the red fading and the body becoming greener with growth.