Agrius convolvuli (Convolvulus Hawkmoth)
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.

Distribution:  Throughout mainland Australia

Sighted at Claire Cottage between September & April.

Agrius convolvuli (male), Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau NSW, 2 Nov 2018

Convolvulus Hawkmoth, Agrius convolvuli (male), Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau NSW, 11 Mar 2021 03.11am

Agrius convolvuli (male), Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau NSW, 20 Sep 2018

Claire Cottage, Dorrigo NSW, 14 Sep 2018

Claire Cottage, Dorrigo NSW, 4 Apr 2020

The pink markings on the abdomen are not always obvious. Claire Cottage Dorrigo NSW, 31 Dec 2020

Agrius convolvuli (male) , Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau, NSW Feb 2004

Agrius convolvuli (male), Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau, NSW Feb 2004

Agrius convolvuli (female), Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau, NSW Dec 2012

Agrius convolvuli (male), Wonga Beach FNQ, Jun 2005 (Photo David Cook)

Convolvulus Hawkmoth, Agrius convolvuli, Claire Cottage, 13th November 2020 09.17pm

A camouflaged Agrius convolvuli (female), Wonga Beach, FNQ May 2014

Agrius convolvuli, final instar on Pineapple Sage, Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau, NSW Jan 2004

Green form larva Wonga Beach FNQ, May 2005 (Photo David Cook)

Black form larva feeding on Kungkong at Wonga Beach FNQ, May 2005 (Photo David Cook)

A handful of Agrius convolvuli larvae showing a range of colour varieties, Urunga NSW, 1980's

Agrius convolvuli, Bellingen, NSW. Apr 2015 (Photo Phil Gilmour)

Agrius convolvuli, Bellingen, NSW. Apr 2015 (Photo Phil Gilmour)

Agrius convolvuli pupa, Claire Cottage, Dorrigo Plateau NSW, Jan 2004

Newly emerged Agrius convolvuli (male), growing its wings, Wonga Beach FNQ, Jun 2005 (Photo David Cook)

Agrius convolvuli (Convolvulus Hawk Moth)
We have found this moth at Claire Cottage on the Dorrigo Plateau.

Distribution:  Throughout mainland Australia
 
Moth Sightings:  

• DORRIGO PLATEAU: Sept 2018(3) 2020(8); Oct 2020(7); Nov 2018(3), 2020(30);  Dec 2012, 2018(8) 2020;  Jan 2011, 2021(2);  Feb 2004, 2020, 2021(10)  Mar 2019, 2020(49), 2021(3); April 2020(4);
• Final Autumn sighting at Claire Cottage: 16/04/20 - feeding on Pentas & yellow (seedless) Lantana.

• ELSEWHERE:  Wonga Beach, FNQ.,(between Mossman & Daintree Village) Jun 2005, May 2014

Larva Sightings: 

• DORRIGO PLATEAU:  Jan 2004
• ELSEWHERE:  Artarmon, Sydney (1960's),  Urunga, NSW (1980's),  Wonga Beach, FNQ (May 2005), , Whyanbeel FNQ approx 2012, Daintree Village, FNQ (Apr 2015)

Larval food plants:

• DORRIGO PLATEAU:  Lamiaceae;  *Salvia elegans (Pineapple Sage)

• ELSEWHERE:  as for Dorrigo Plateau plus Convolvulaceae:  Calystegia sepium, Ipomoea hederifolia*, Ipomoea batatas (Sweet Potato)*, Ipomoea cairica*, Ipomoea indica (Morning Glory)*,  Merremia dissecta*, Polymeria sp., Stictocardia tiliifolia.

Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau:  Thought to be September to April

Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Time to light - Dec 2018-between 22.00&04.30(8 moths).

Adult Moth:  Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: 45mm&50mm&60mm
Adult Moth:  Size forewing tip to forewing tip: 25mm & 20mm.
This moth is easily identifiable by the beautiful white, pink and black horizontal stripes on its body.

Mature larva:  length - ??mm.    
Colour form: Final instar:  There is a variety of larval colour forms ranging from all Green to all Black with a mixture of Green, Black & White also possible with a range of markings. N.B. the larval photos above.
Eye Spots: None
Other distinguishing features: White or black diagonal stripes along both sides tinged with purple.
Caudal Horn: Red with a black tip in final istar - it is backward-curving.
Pupa: Formed under leaf litter below food plant - note the large tongue case.

Interesting observations: We have noticed that the adult (moth) seems to have at least two colour forms. One being a uniform grey form whilst the other form is grey with some very dark grey to black markings which have a close resemblance to markings on some of the Psilogramma Hawk Moths.

Sept. 2018 - In an effort to attract moths at night we are now using a GECKO UV 50W Lamp which produces a dull blue light.  After running the light for two cool nights (6C-8C)  in mid September moth numbers were very low but it has attracted 3 Agrius convolvuli Hawks. Note this light is unsuitable for taking moth photos on the sheet as it introduces a blue hue over the moth.