Gardenia Bee Hawk
Common NameGardenia Bee Hawk
Scientific NameCephonodes hylas
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilyMacroglossinae
Wingspan (mm)60
Wing Patterntransparent
Primary Colorsyellow, black, brown
HabitatGardens, woodlands, forest edges, plantations
Geographic RangeAfrica, Asia (including India, Southeast Asia, China, Japan), Australia
Host PlantsGardenia, Coffea, Rubia, Lonicera
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions; multiple broods from spring to autumn in temperate zones
Flight Stylehovering
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are typical hornworms, usually green or brown with a caudal horn. Pupation occurs in a cocoon in leaf litter or shallow soil.
Identification TipsLook for its transparent wings with dark borders, its stout, furry body with yellow and black banding, and its distinctive fan-like tail tuft. It is often seen hovering like a hummingbird while feeding on nectar during the day.
Description
This is a medium-sized hawk-moth with a stout, fuzzy, bee-like body. Its wings are largely transparent with dark brown veins and narrow dark margins, and its abdomen is banded with yellow and black, ending in a prominent tufted tail.
