Oleander Hawk-moth

Daphnis nerii

Rare
Oleander Hawk-moth — photo 1 Oleander Hawk-moth — photo 2 Oleander Hawk-moth — photo 3 Oleander Hawk-moth — photo 4 Oleander Hawk-moth — photo 5

Description

Large, strikingly beautiful caterpillar. Intense green with two large blue-white eyespots ringed in black on the thorax, imitating vertebrate eyes. Short, downward-curved caudal horn.

Information

FamilySphingidae
Size8–10 cm
Hairinessglabre
Observation periodJuly to October
DistributionMainly southern Europe. Occasionally reaches France in warm years.
ToxicityNo
RarityRare

Host plants

  • Oleander

Notes

Defensive posture swells the thoracic segments, making the false eyes even more striking.

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