Psilogramma increta

Psilogramma increta (Walker, [1865])
(one synonym : Psilogramma serrata)
SPHINGINAE, SPHINGIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley

(updated 6 February 2007)

(Photo: courtesy of Buck Richardson, Kuranda)

The Caterpillar is green, with a strong straight often dark horn on its tail pointing backwards, a series of diagonal white stripes or patches on its sides, and somwtimes with dark marks also on the sides of some segments. The caterpillar grows to a length of about 8 cms. Its many foodplants include :

Chinese Privet ( Ligustrum sinensis, OLEACEAE ),

as well as many other plants from the families :

OLEACEAE,

SCROPHULARIACEAE, and

VERBENACEAE.

(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Queensland)

The pupa is brown with a curved extension for the developing haustellum.

(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Queensland)

The adult moths have forewings that are grey-brown with a pattern of light and dark markings. The hindwings are brown.The undersides are just plain grey-brown. The wingspan is about 10 cms.

(Photo: courtesy of John Stumm, Brisbane)

The eggs are pale green when laid, turning reddish brown as hatching approaches. They are spherical with a diameter of about 2 mms. They are laid singly on the leaves of a foodplant.