Convolvulus Hawk-moth
Agrius convolvuli
This record describes Agrius convolvuli (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 80-120 mm. A large species, with a wingspan of over 10cm. It has largely grey wings, with a pinkish banded body. A good photograph is generally required to support your record. It turns up in light traps and feeding at garden flowers, especially those of the Tobacco Plant. It most often occurs in late summer and autumn, usually with influxes of other migrant species. This is a migrant in Britain, appearing sometimes in fairly good numbers. Although larvae are sometimes found in Britain, usually on bindweed, it does not regularly breed. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a Migrant. Found throughout Britain, especially in England and Wales. Numbers vary between migration years. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
Wikipedia reference for Agrius convolvuli: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agrius convolvuli.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Sphinginae
- Tribe
- Sphingini
- Genus
- Agrius
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
It turns up in light traps and feeding at garden flowers, especially those of the Tobacco Plant.
Seasonal Activity
It most often occurs in late summer and autumn, usually with influxes of other migrant species.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
This is a migrant in Britain, appearing sometimes in fairly good numbers. Although larvae are sometimes found in Britain, usually on bindweed, it does not regularly breed. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a Migrant.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Found throughout Britain, especially in England and Wales. Numbers vary between migration years. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a migrant.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Agrius convolvuli. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Convolvulus Hawk-moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Convolvulus Hawk-moth
What is Convolvulus Hawk-moth?
Convolvulus Hawk-moth (Agrius convolvuli) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Convolvulus Hawk-moth found?
Habitat: It turns up in light traps and feeding at garden flowers, especially those of the Tobacco Plant.
When is Convolvulus Hawk-moth active?
Convolvulus Hawk-moth: seasonal activity - It most often occurs in late summer and autumn, usually with influxes of other migrant species..
What is the life cycle of a Convolvulus Hawk-moth?
This is a migrant in Britain, appearing sometimes in fairly good numbers. Although larvae are sometimes found in Britain, usually on bindweed, it does not regularly breed. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as a Migrant.