This beauty is intriguingly named Pandora sphinx moth (sphinx Pandore). Its larval hosts include Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia, vigne vierge de Virginie), and sure enough there is a Virginia creeper climbing on the wall of the library, which I photographed last year. (The larvae also feed on Vitis spp. (grapes, raisins).
I have been meaning to get some Virginia creeper growing in the backyard, and seeing this beautiful moth makes me all the more determined.
Now I have to go check my Virginia Creeper for caterpillars. Thanks for sharing this beautiful photograph.
ReplyDeleteThis is cool. I grew Virginia creeper in my previous garden, I never thought to check it for larva.
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