Acosmeryx anceus

Acosmeryx anceus (Stoll, 1781)
(one synonym : Zonilia mixtura)
MACROGLOSSINAE, SPHINGIDAE

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

(updated 5 April 2006)

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

The young caterpillars of this species are green with a forward curving tail horn. Later the caterpillars develop pale diagonal stripes along the sides, and the pointed horn on the tail curves backwards and often is not tapered. They differ from Caterpillars of many other SPHINGIDAE species in having no eye-spots.

later instar
(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Brisbane)

They feed on various species of VITACEAE :

Slender Grape ( Cayratia clematidea ),

Kangaroo Vine ( Cissus antarctica ),

Cissus oblonga,and

Cultivated Grape ( Vitis vinifera ).

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

The pupa is plain dark brown.

The adult moths of this species are grey or brown, with forewings that each have a general blotchy light and dark pattern, and an outlined pale spot near the centre. The forewings each have an indentation at the wingtip. They have a wingspan of about 8 cms.

(Specimen: courtesy of the The Australian Museum)

The eggs are green and spherical, and laid on a leaf of a foodplant.

an egg
(Photo: courtesy of Tom and David Sleep, Brisbane)

The species is found across south-east Asia, including :

Borneo,

China,

New Guinea,

the Philippines,

Thailand, as well as

Queensland and New South Wales in Australia.