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The Hawkmoths (SPHINGIDAE, Sphinginae) of Papua Indonesia

by Willem Hogenes

Acherontia lachesis (Fabricius, 1798)

[Sphinx lachesis Fabricius, 1798] (type (TL: "India orientali") not located)

At light in Nansfori (Supiori Island, 2008)

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The usual colour variety of the caterpillar is yellow but also green and grey ones occur (see below) (Walmak, Jayawijaya Mountains, 2008)

(left) a green variety of the caterpillar (Walmak, Jayawijaya Mts.); (right) the grey colour form is much rarer (Mokwam, Arfak Mts.)

Even very dark forms occur but are quite rare (Mokwam, Arfak Mts.)

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Distribution

 

STATUS: A rather common species in Indo-Australia but in New Guinea much less abundant.

PAPUA LOCALITIES: Supiori: Korido, Nansfori; New Guinea: Abmisibil, Langda, Mabilabol, Mokwam, Prafi, Sentani, Taja Rifi, Walmak (Nipsan), Wamena, Yahukimo (Nipsan), Yuruf (Keerom River). Details in gazetteer.

EXTERNAL DISTRIBUTION: Indo-Australia, Japan, China, Hawaii.

DATA SOURCES: KSP, ZMAN.