Friday, 16 December 2016

The Sphingids: Agrius convolvuli

It's nearly impossible to overwinter pupae of the Convolvulus Hawkmoth (Agrius convolvuli). Too warm and they hatch (even with temperatures around twelve degrees Celsius), too cold and they die. As I wasn't planning on continuing this brood anyway, I was ok with them hatching already after a pupal stage of two weeks. This is one of the most common and widespread hawkmoths on the planet. They are present (in huge numbers) in most of Africa, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, subtropical and tropical Asia to Australia and even on some Pacific islands like Tahiti. They are strong migrants that fly northwards each year. Offspring of the first migrants can be common in many parts of Europe and Russia. They have even been recorded a few times from Iceland. It's a fairly large hawkmoth with a wingspan between nine and thirteen centimeter. Depending on local conditions they can have up to four generations per year.



Agrius convolvuli
Agrius convolvuli - Origin: United Kingdom

Agrius convolvuli
Agrius convolvuli - Origin: United Kingdom