Theretra jugurtha is a species of moth in the family Sphingidae. The species was first described by Jean‑Baptiste Boisduval in 1875. It is native to wooded regions of tropical Africa, where it is found across several countries in the continent’s central and western zones.
Description
Adult specimens have a forewing length of 37–45 mm. The body and forewings are colored ochreous‑olive, while the hindwings are dark brown and resemble an enlarged form of Hippotion irregularis.
Life cycle and ecology
The larvae feed on species of the grapevine genus Vitis. Young larvae possess a green head and body, a dorsal area marked by large yellow spots, and a bluish dorsal line. Pupation occurs in a modest cocoon situated within surface litter.
Subspecies
- Theretra jugurtha jugurtha – the nominate subspecies occurring on the mainland.
- Theretra jugurtha peracuta Darge, 1989 – recorded from Bioko Island.
Taxonomic classification
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Arthropoda
- Class: Insecta
- Order: Lepidoptera
- Family: Sphingidae
- Genus: Theretra
- Species: Theretra jugurtha
Synonyms
- Choerocampa jugurtha Boisduval, 1875
- Theretra obliterata Rothschild, 1894
References
- Wikipedia contributors. “Theretra jugurtha.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.
- HandWiki. “Theretra jugurtha.” Biology: Theretra jugurtha.
- Carcasson, R. H. (1967). “Revised Catalogue of the African Sphingidae (Lepidoptera) with Descriptions of the East African species.” Journal of the East Africa Natural History Society and National Museum.
Note: All information presented is derived from established taxonomic and entomological sources.