Daphnis placida (Walker, 1856)
(one synonym : Deilephila salomonis)
MACROGLOSSINAE, SPHINGIDAE

Don Herbison-Evans ( donherbisonevans@yahoo.com )
&
Stella Crossley & Ian F.B. Common

(updated 8 January 2006)


(Photo from: Moths of Australia)

The Caterpillars of this species are green with a pale stripe along each side of the back. There are some yellow markings each side of the thorax. The caterpillar has an 'S' shaped reddish tail spine. The caterpillars feed on:

  • Fever Bark ( Alstonia constricta ), and
  • Banana Bush ( Tabernaemontana angustisepala ),

    both of APOCYNACEAE.


    The adult moth has a complex pattern of light and dark brown on the wings, and a white bar across the first abdominal segment. The moth has a wingspan of about 6 cms.


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

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

  • Borneo,
  • the Philippines, and
  • the northern half of Australia.


    Fiji    , 2001

    Further reading :

    Ian F.B. Common,
    Moths of Australia, Melbourne University Press, 1990, pp. 71, 412.

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