Kingdom Animalia Class Insecta Family Sphingidae Scientific name Theretra pallicosta | Phylum Arthropoda Order Lepidoptera Genus Theretra Rank Species | |
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Similar Theretra rhesus, Theretra clotho, Theretra suffusa, Theretra cajus, Theretra nessus | ||
Theretra pallicosta (white-edged hunter hawkmoth) is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It is found from Sri Lanka and India, east through Nepal, Bangladesh and Myanmar to Hong Kong and Taiwan and south through Thailand, Laos and Vietnam to Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia (Sumatra, Java).
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Description
The wingspan is 70–90 mm. It is distinguishable from all other Theretra species by the white forewing costa and discal spot, and a narrow white dorsal line restricted to the thorax. The thorax has a white medial line. The forewing upperside is purplish-brown with only a serrate postmedian line clearly visible. The discal spot has the form of a small white dot. The costa is highlighted with white. The hindwing upperside is orange with a slightly darker, diffuse marginal band.
Biology
The larvae have been recorded on Aporusa dioica in China, Aporusa species in India and Myanmar, Vitis species in Pakistan and Polyalthia cerasoides in Thailand.