Agrius convolvuli Linnaeus

Sphinx convolvuli Linnaeus, 1758, Syst. Nat. edn. 10: 490.

Herse convolvuli Linnaeus; Rothschild & Jordan, 1903: 11.

Diagnosis

The species can easily be distinguished from similar Sphingini by the multifasciate hindwings and the pink stripes laterally on the abdomen.

Geographical range

Throughout Old World except higher latitudes.

Habitat preference

The species is probably most common in open habitats in the lowlands, but has been taken at over 2000m on G. Kinabalu and G. Mulu; it may show hill-topping tendencies.

Biology

The larvae are highly variable in Java: green, brown or black (Dupont & Roepke, 1941). Green and brown ones always have oblique lateral stripes; a dorsolateral streak and pairs of black patches may be present. Black ones always have yellow dorsal and broad dorsolateral stripes, and white lateral ones; oblique stripes may be present. The horn is yellowish brown or orange, tipped with black. Intermediate forms also occur.

Recorded host-plants (Bell & Scott, 1937; Dupont & Roepke, 1941; Robinson, 1975; Moulds, 1981; Barlow 1982; Miyata, 1983) are: Alocasia, Colocasia (Araceae); Helianthus (Compositae); Calytegia, Ipomoea, Merremia (Convolvulaceae); Arachis, Dolichos, Phaseolus, Vigna (Leguminosae); Abutilon, Hibiscus (Malvaceae); Nicotiana (Solanaceae); Tetragonia (Tetragoniaceae).