Pestipedia

Vine Hawk Moths

**Vine Hawk Moths** most often refers to the **Grapevine Hawkmoth** (*Deilephila elpenor* or *Hippotion celerio*) or similar Sphingidae species. The conflict is **rapid defoliation**: the caterpillars (called “hornworms” due to a rear spine) are extremely large and consume vast amounts of foliage, mainly on **grapevines** (*Vitis* spp.), but also on related ornamentals (e.g., Virginia Creeper, Fuschias). Their feeding can quickly strip a young vine, causing stunting and yield loss.

Taxonomy and Classification

Vine Hawk Moths belong to the Order Lepidoptera (Moths and Butterflies) and the Family Sphingidae (Hawk/Sphinx Moths). They undergo complete metamorphosis.

Physical Description

Larvae are large, 50 mm to 80 mm long.

  • **Adult (Key ID):** Large, aerodynamic moth; often cryptically colored; capable of rapid, sustained flight.
  • **Larva (Key ID):** Very large, smooth, hairless caterpillar; often green or brown with large, distinctive **eyespot markings** on the thoracic segments; possesses a prominent spine/horn near the posterior end.
  • **Damage ID:** Large, irregular holes chewed in leaves; entire young plants quickly stripped of foliage.
  • **Conflict:** Agricultural (Viticulture), Ornamental.

Distribution and Habitat

Found worldwide, depending on the specific species. Habitat is vineyards, gardens, and urban settings with abundant host plants.

Behavior and Conflict

The conflict is driven by their size and consumption rate.

  • **Voracity:** A single mature larva can consume several leaves in a single day.
  • **Defensive Display:** When threatened, they often draw their head and thorax inward, displaying the eyespots to startle predators.

Management and Prevention

Management is **Physical Removal and Targeted Biological Control**.

  • **Physical Control (Key):**
    • **Hand-picking** the large, conspicuous larvae from the vines.
  • **Biological Control:**
    • **Natural Parasitism:** They are highly susceptible to parasitic wasps (especially *Cotesia* spp.), whose white cocoons are often visible on the dead or dying caterpillar.

    • Conservation and Research

    The adult moths are important pollinators of long-tubed flowers. Research is focused on using natural parasitism as the primary management tool.