27/09/2024
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗿𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗮𝘄𝗸𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗵
𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘢 𝘥𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘴, the dull swirled hawkmoth, is a species of hawk moth described by Francis Walker in 1856. It is found in South-east and South Asia. The moth has a wingspan of 90-125 mm and a pale brown body with a dark line running from its head to the end of its abdomen. Its forewings feature several lines and a red-brown spot, while its hindwings are reddish brown with two red-brown spots. The ventral surface of the forewings has lines only on the outer half, while the hindwings have two post-medial straight lines and two sub-marginal curved lines.
The most prominent difference between male and female 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘢 𝘥𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘴 lies in their antennae. Male moths have prolonged setae on their antennae, giving them a feathery appearance. These setae are sensory organs that help males detect pheromones released by females. In contrast, female antennae are shorter and less feathery, lacking the prominent setae found in males. While not a definitive indicator, male 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘶𝘮𝘣𝘢 𝘥𝘺𝘳𝘢𝘴 generally have a slightly smaller wingspan than females. This difference is not always noticeable, but it can be a helpful clue when observing the moths.
Beyond antennae and wingspan, there are other subtle physical differences that can help distinguish males and females. Male abdomens are typically tapered at the end, while female abdomens are rounder. Caterpillars are green with short white granular spines and yellow horns. They feed on various deciduous trees, including 𝘉𝘺𝘵𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢 𝘢𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘢, 𝘍𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘢 𝘴𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘹, 𝘔𝘪𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘴 𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢, 𝘗𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘮𝘶𝘮 𝘩𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘭𝘭𝘶𝘮, 𝘚𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘪𝘢 𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘢, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘪𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘴.
Source: wikipedia.org
Photos by: SEPH V.
Device: Infinix Smart 8
Location: Banga, Aklan
Date Captured: September 02, 2024
