CONVOLVULUS HAWK MOTH

       Convolvulus Hawk Moths are the nocturnal moth, which are usually active after sun set. During day time, they remain sedentary, taking rest by hiding in cracks and crevices, tree barks, beneath the plant trashes. Scientifically they are called as Agrius convolvuli , belong to insect order Lepidoptera and family Spingidae. Usually these moths feed on variety of plants , but prefer flowers of Convolvulaceae family,  thus Convolvulus Hawk Moths. The moths are also called as Kumara Moth,  as caterpillars feed on tip and leaves of Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas) vines.

          Agrius convolvuli are stout bodied moths with grayish wings and banded abdomen. Presence of narrow, but lengthy wings made them prolific fliers and usually find hovering over the flowers, sucking the nectar. Abdomen has long gray stripe running down and alternative bands of  pink and black. Presence of long proboscis acts as a feeding tubes which helps feeding  on nectar of tubular flowers of Ipomoea sps. and similar kind of  flowers of Nicotina sylvestis.

How do they look like?

Life Cycle of Convolvulus Hawk Moth:

            Moths are multi-voltine which are capable of completing several life cycle in an year, if favorable climatic condition prevails. Adults lay egg singly on host plant and egg hatches in few days to few weeks. Larvae of moths are greenish in color in early instar stages and become pale or brownish as days progress. Presence of horn at posterior end of the larvae is a common characteristics. This horn is straighter initially and curves at the tip later on. Pupation occurs in soil and pupa exhibits brown color. Adults emerge from pupa with in a week time or may take several months depending on weather conditions.

Importance of Convolvulus Hawk Moth

        Convolvulus Hawk moths do not have much prevalence as such as a pest of cultivated crops, though the caterpillar feed on certain crops like Sweet potato, tobacco, etc. But they may not be able to cause economic damage as their populations are not big  enough to cause severe harm. Their importance mainly lies in pollination of plants like Ipomoea Sps and their existence. Mostly these plants are characterized by production of tubular or trumpet shaped flowers, where stamen and anthers often concealed in tubular corolla. Having able to fly strong and long and blessed with long proboscis, these moth are the potential pollinator to such plants.