Annei's Spurge Hawk-moth
Common NameAnnei's Spurge Hawk-moth
Scientific NameHyles annei
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilyMacroglossinae
Wingspan (mm)75
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsolive-brown, white, pink, black
HabitatDry, sandy areas, coastal dunes, steppes, and rocky slopes where host plants grow.
Geographic RangeNorth Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia) and parts of the Middle East.
Host PlantsEuphorbia paralias, Euphorbia terracina, Euphorbia characias, Euphorbia segetalis
Flight PeriodMarch to May and July to September (bivoltine)
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are typically green or black with yellow spots and a red head, feeding on various spurge species. They pupate in a shallow burrow in the soil.
Identification TipsDistinguished by the combination of olive-brown forewings with a broad pale stripe, and the bright pink central band on the black hindwings. The body is also striped with olive-brown, white, and black.
Description
A medium-sized hawk-moth with olive-brown forewings marked by a prominent, broad cream-white stripe. The hindwings are black with a striking central pink or magenta band.
