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Agrius cingulata

(Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth)

Common Names

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Common Names in English:

Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth, Pink-Spotted Hawkmoth, Pinkspotted Hawkmoth, Sweetpotato Hornworm

Description

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Family Sphingidae

'The Sphingidae belong to the Superfamily Sphingoidea. Members of this family are commonly called "hummingbird," "sphinx," or "hawk" moths, and some can be mistaken for hummingbirds. Most are medium to large moths, with heavy bodies; wingspread reaches 5 inches or more in some species. The Sphingidae are strong and fast fliers, with a rapid wingbeat. Most species in the group are active at dusk, and most feed much like hummingbirds, hovering in front of a flower and sipping nectar through the extended proboscis. The proboscis rolls up when not in use. Some species lack scales on large portions of their wings, resulting in transparent or clear wings. In most species, the larval stage is called a "hornworm" because the caterpillar''s posterior end has a harmless hook or hornlike appendage protruding upward. Unfortunately, the caterpillar of some species can be very destructive to agricultural crops and ornamental plantings .

'[1]

Subfamily Sphinginae

The Sphinginae are members of the Family Sphingidae. Widely distributed, these medium to very large-sized moths have a well-developed proboscis and robust bodies. In some species, the proboscis is 15 cm or more in length. Some adults are active at night, while others feed at dawn, dusk, or during the day. Larvae feed day and night on woody and herbaceous plants ; some are serious pests of agricultural crops . Most species pupate in the soil, though some form loose cocoons in the leaf layer.

Physical Description

Species Agrius cingulata

Body is robust . Abdomen tapers to a point and is grayish brown with pink bands . Forewing is mottled gray and brown; hindwing is gray with black bands and pink at the base . (ref. 106190)

Color:

Body is robust . Abdomen tapers to a point and is grayish brown with pink bands . Forewing is mottled gray and brown; hindwing is gray with black bands and pink at the base .

Size/Age/Growth

Wing span : 3 3/4 - 4 3/4 inches (9.5 - 12 cm).

Habitat

Tropical and subtropical lowlands, open areas.

Typically found at an altitude of 0 to 1,412 meters (0 to 4,633 feet).[2]

Biome: Terrestrial

Biology

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Diet

Caterpillar hosts: Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), jimsonweed (Datura), and related plants . Adult food: Nectar from deep-throated flowers including moonflower (Calonyction aculeatum), morning glory (Convolvulus), and petunia (Petunia species).

Reproduction

Caterpillars are large and stout and have a horn at the end of the abdomen. They feed both day and night. Caterpillars pupate in chambers dug in the ground . Adults are very strong fliers.

Behavior

Flight: . One flight from June-October in most of the range , several flights throughout the year in Florida and Louisiana.

Taxonomy

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Notes

Name Status: Accepted Name . Latest taxonomic scrutiny: Beccaloni G.

Similar Species

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Members of the genus Agrius

There are approximately 53 species in this genus:

A. abadonna · A. affinis · A. aksuensis · A. alicea · A. amyntor · A. batatae · A. cingulata (Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth) · A. cingulatus (Pink-Spotted Hawk Moth) · A. concolorata · A. convoluvli · A. convolvuli (Morning Glory Sphinx Moth) · A. convolvuli(Linnaeus · A. convonvuli · A. cordiae · A. decolora · A. distans · A. distincta · A. druraei · A. elegans · A. eremitus · A. extincta · A. fasciata · A. fasciatus · A. fuscosignata · A. godarti · A. grisea · A. ichangensis · A. indica · A. intermedia · A. lixi · A. luctifera · A. major · A. marshallensis · A. minor · A. nigricans · A. obscura · A. orientalis · A. pallida · A. patates · A. peitaihoensis · A. pseudoconvolvuli · A. pungens · A. roseofasciata · A. saturata · A. schmeltzii · A. suffusa · A. tahitiensis · A. triangularis · A. tukurine · A. unicolor · A. variegata · A. virgata · A. ypsilonnigrum

More Info

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Further Reading

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Notes

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Contributors

Data Sources

Accessed through GBIF Data Portal November 11, 2007:

Identifiers

Footnotes

  1. http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/taxonomy?f=30&sci=Sphingidae&com=Sphinx Moths, Hawkmoths [back]
  2. Mean = 374.470 meters (1,228.576 feet), Standard Deviation = 862.670 based on 173 observations. Altitude information for each observation from British Oceanographic Data Centre. [back]
Last Revised: 2009-05-07