Hippotion boerhaviae (Pale Striated Hawk Moth)
We have not found this moth on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Cape York Peninsula, FNQ to Brisbane, QLD (on 08/03/21 we sighted evidence of a reported sighting in NSW indicating a range extension to the south - refer the 07/03/2021 photo below and the 'Interesting Observation' note in the text).
We have not found this moth on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Cape York Peninsula, FNQ to Brisbane, QLD (on 08/03/21 we sighted evidence of a reported sighting in NSW indicating a range extension to the south - refer the 07/03/2021 photo below and the 'Interesting Observation' note in the text).
Hippotion boerhaviae, Whyanbeel FNQ, Jul 2004 (a hard copy photo in the time before digital photography).
Hippotion boerhaviae, Alstonville NSW, 7 Mar 2021 (Photo Rose Wisemantel)
Hippotion boerhaviae, Alstonville NSW, 7 Mar 2021 (Photo Rose Wisemantel)
Hippotion boerhaviae (Pale Striated Hawk Moth)
We have not found this moth on the Dorrigo Plateau.
Distribution: Cape York Peninsula, FNQ to Brisbane, QLD (on 08/03/21 we sighted evidence of a reported sighting in NSW indicating a range extension to the south - refer the 07/03/2021 photo below and the 'Interesting Observation' note in the text).
Moth Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: None
- ELSEWHERE: Whyanbeel, FNQ July 2004;
Larva Sightings:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: None to date
- ELSEWHERE: None to date
Larval food plants:
- DORRIGO PLATEAU: N/A
- ELSEWHERE: HYPOXIDACEAE - Curculigo ensifolia; RUBIACEAE – * Pentas lanceolata (will accept in captivity),
- Breeding season on the Dorrigo Plateau: N/A
Breeding Season Elsewhere: Thought to be all year in FNQ and Sept to April in southern QLD. - Flight habit: Nocturnal - Active at night.
Adult Moth: Colour ranges from brown to grey; Size at rest - tip of thorax to tip of forewing: approx 60mms
Mature larva: length - 70+mm.
Colour form: Final instar: Green or Black.
Eye Spots: On the first abdomnal segment there is a large black eye-spot, outlined in brown and containing white dots with a black & white smaller eye spot on each other segment.
Other distinguishing features: There is a pair of outlined pale spots on each segment
Dorsal Horn: Long and Black. Has a reddish base and a white tip.Forward curving in young larva but shorter backward-curving in final instar.
Interesting observation: 08/03/21 A photo posted on Facebook group - Australian butterflies and moths by Rose Wisemantel of a Hippotion boerhaviae taken at Alstonville, northern NSW (on 07/03/21) is now also shown above. This sighting represents an extension of the H. boerhaviae range to the south, the first known record for a sighting in NSW.