Sweetpotato Hornworm -Pink-spotted Hawk Moth – Agrius cingulata

Sweetpotato Hornworm -Pink-spotted Hawk Moth – Agrius cingulata   Scientific name: Agrius cinguata Common name: Sweetpotato hornworm, pink spotted hawk moth   Appearance: Sweetpotato hornworms are large moths with gray bodies covered with pink bands. The abdomen is tapered at the ends, and the hindwings are gray with black and pink bands. Wingspan of adult sweetpotato hornworm ranges from 95 to 120 mm. They have a pair of white, club-like antennae and large eyes. The larval form of the moth is also 100 mm long and can be green, brown, or gray with black streaking.   Host plants or food: Sweetpotato hornworm feeds on members of the potato and morning glory families, such as jimson weed, sweet potato, and pawpaw.   Territory: Throughout North America, Central America, and Europe   Mode of damage: Sweetpotato hornworms adults are flower feeders and suck on nectar from deep-throated flowers like morning glory and petunia. The larvae, on the other hand, feed on the foliage as leaf chewers.   Habits and life history   Sweet potato hornworm adults are nocturnal, while the larvae feed both day and night. The female lays single eggs on the foliage, which hatches into larvae that feed on the underside of the leaves. The larvae drop to the ground and develop in an underground chamber. Adult moths are mostly active from May to November, while the larvae are active from late summer till fall. They produce 1 to 3 generations per year.