Frangipani Hawkmoth caterpillar (Pseudosphinx tetrio) {!--박각시나방류 애벌레--> Frangipani hawkmoth
Insecta (Hexapoda) > Lepidoptera > Sphingidae
Pseudosphinx tetrio (Linnaeus 1771)
Photographer: Jim Occi, BugPics
Descriptor: Larva(e)
Description: This large dark silvery-gray moth pupates from the ground under the wild Frangipani Tree (Plumieria alba) and sometimes from under Allamandas (Yellow Bells), also belonging to the Apocynaceae family. The caterpiller is large, about 5 inches long and as fat as a finger. They are very conspicuous with yellow bands on the black body and has a red head, presumably as a warning signal to birds. They feed on poisonous sap, thus becoming poisonous to the birds that might be searching for food. After the leaves are stripped by the voracious caterpillars, they bury into the ground.
Image Citation:
Jim Occi, BugPics, www.forestryimages.org
Image Use:
This image may be copied and used, in whole or in part, for any non-profit, educational purpose provided that all reproductions bear an appropriate credit. Any commercial or other use of the image requires the written permission of the photographer or contact organization, and Forestry Images.
