Crops > Roots & tubers > Yam > Theretra nessus, Palau

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Crops Roots & tubersYamTheretra nessus, Palau

Theretra nessus

June 2001. A hawkmoth/sphinxmoth was caught in Palau – it flew into a house. At first, it was thought to be taro hornworm, Hippotion celerio, but it was orange on wings and abdomen rather than pink. Last year (2000), a brown hornworm was caught eating yam (Dioscorea alata) leaves. What is it?

According to Moths of Australia, it is Theretra nessus. It has a range from India, through southeast Asia to Papua New Guinea, northeastern Australia, Solomon Islands and New Caledonia (Loyalty Islands). Its larvae feed on yam (Dioscorea spp.) and cunjevoi (Alocasia macrorrhizos).