Cape Hawk Moth

Afrikaans name: Druiwepylstert

Cape Hawk Moth

Photo © Steven Herbert

Theretra capensis

The Cape Hawk Moth is a large moth that can have a wingspan of 9 cm.

In South Africa it is found all along the coast from Cape Town to the Mozambique border.

Its natural habitat is forest.

The larvae of the Cape Hawk Moth feed on different types of Vigna plants such as wild and cultivated grape vines. Other larval foods includes some species of the genus Rhocissus. The caterpillars are rather cute in appearance! They are green with a white lateral line and two "eyes" on their head.

This moth has gone by the following synonyms: Sphinx capensis, Sphinx aeas, Sphinx cecrops, Theretra immaculata and Gnathostypsis ostracina.

References and further reading

Southern African Moths & Their Caterpillars - Author: Staude, Picker and Griffiths - Published: 2023 - Page: 284

Sasol First Field Guide to Butterflies & Moths of Southern Africa - Author: Simon van Noort - Published: 0 - Page: 8

Field Guide to Insects of South Africa - Author: Mike Picker, Charles Griffiths and Alan Weaving - Published: 0 - Page: 350

For more info: African Moths

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