Kauaʻi record · KCA-IA-00081
Yam Hawkmoth
Theretra nessus
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About Yam Hawkmoth
Theretra nessus is a large hawkmoth with a reported wingspan of 90–130 mm.
Natural history and identification
Theretra nessus is a large hawkmoth with a reported wingspan of 90–130 mm. A green band along the leading edge of the forewing, a curved wingtip, and broad golden stripes along the abdomen are useful adult features; green coloration can fade in preserved specimens. Its appearance is markedly different from that of its caterpillar. These diagnostic observations come from the specialist species treatment and should be combined with the separate evidence supporting its Kauaʻi occurrence.
Kauaʻi occurrence and evidence
Atlas occurrence category: Present. The Kauaʻi record is classified as “Present”. Its cited evidence source is iNaturalist Kauaʻi checklist.
Evidence limits
The cited observations describe the evidence currently available for this account. They do not establish a complete life history or a measured current Kauaʻi population trend.
Names and classification
- Scientific name
- Theretra nessus
- Common names
- Yam Hawkmoth
- Family
- Sphingidae
- Order
- Lepidoptera
- Record type
- species
Kauaʻi occurrence and status
- Kauaʻi occurrence
- Present
- Origin
- Introduced
- Conservation status
- Not assessed
Process and seasonal context
- Seasonal description
- Theretra nessus is a large hawkmoth with a reported wingspan of 90–130 mm.