Pellucid Hawkmoth
Common NamePellucid Hawkmoth
Scientific NameCephonodes hylas
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilyMacroglossinae
Wingspan (mm)60
Wing Patterntransparent
Primary Colorsgreen, yellow, black, reddish-brown
HabitatGardens, open woodlands, cultivated areas, forest edges
Geographic RangeAfrica, Asia (India, Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, China, Japan)
Host PlantsGardenia, Coffea, Strychnos, Tabernaemontana
Flight PeriodYear-round in tropical regions, spring to autumn elsewhere
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are typically green or brown with a characteristic horn at the rear. Pupation occurs in a cocoon spun in leaf litter or shallow soil.
Identification TipsLook for its clear, transparent wings, green head and thorax, and the distinct yellow, black, and reddish-brown banding on its abdomen, along with the black tail tuft. Its hummingbird-like hovering flight while feeding is also a key identifier.
Description
A medium-sized hawkmoth characterized by its completely transparent, scale-less wings. It has a green head and thorax, and a robust abdomen banded with yellow, black, and reddish-brown, ending in a prominent black anal tuft.
