Oleander hawk moth caterpillar
Daphnis nerii is a large hawk moth found in wide areas of Africa, Asia and Hawaii. It is a migratory species, flying to parts of eastern and southern Europe during the summer, particularly Turkey. Adult oleander hawk moths feed actively on nectar from various flowers. Usually, they prefer the flower of jasmine, vinca, petunia, and honeysuckle plants. Like many other hawk moths, they hover on top of the flowers like hummingbirds to feed on nectar from various sweet-smelling plants. The adults feed on the nectar of a great variety of flowers. They have a preference for fragrant species like petunia, jasmine , and honey suckle. They are especially active in the twilight time, hovering over the flowers after sunset. The caterpillars feed mainly on oleander (Nerium oleander) leaves, a highly toxic plant, to which the caterpillars are immune. They also feed on most other plants of the dogbane family, such as Adenium obesum, Tabernaemontana divaricata and Alstonia scholaris in India. They also eat unbloomed flowers of Tabernaemontana divaricata at night. Removal of larvae-infested foliage is the most environmentally friendly method of controlling the oleander caterpillar and is relatively easy if the branches can be reached. Simply use a pair of scissors or pruners to snip off the damaged foliage and the group of feeding larvae.
Daphnis nerii is a large hawk moth found in wide areas of Africa, Asia and Hawaii. It is a migratory species, flying to parts of eastern and southern Europe during the summer, particularly Turkey. Adult oleander hawk moths feed actively on nectar from various flowers. Usually, they prefer the flower of jasmine, vinca, petunia, and honeysuckle plants. Like many other hawk moths, they hover on top of the flowers like hummingbirds to feed on nectar from various sweet-smelling plants. The adults feed on the nectar of a great variety of flowers. They have a preference for fragrant species like petunia, jasmine , and honey suckle. They are especially active in the twilight time, hovering over the flowers after sunset. The caterpillars feed mainly on oleander (Nerium oleander) leaves, a highly toxic plant, to which the caterpillars are immune. They also feed on most other plants of the dogbane family, such as Adenium obesum, Tabernaemontana divaricata and Alstonia scholaris in India. They also eat unbloomed flowers of Tabernaemontana divaricata at night. Removal of larvae-infested foliage is the most environmentally friendly method of controlling the oleander caterpillar and is relatively easy if the branches can be reached. Simply use a pair of scissors or pruners to snip off the damaged foliage and the group of feeding larvae.