Sphingidae Hawkmoths

Hello!

The caterpillars dozed during the day right on the bindweed stalks, so conspicuous, dark and huge. I myself am surprised that they are taking a lot of risks. On one square meter of chain-link fence there were 7 pieces! And I found them in two days, on the first day and in votroy. Both times in the afternoon, at lunch, the air temperature is +20. I also noticed when I was feeding them that they still eat well during the day, so I can't conclude that they are more active at night. One has already shrunk and is ready to pupate. The others have also stopped eating and are actively crawling.
I will post photos of pupae and butterflies, I think the butterflies will be in about three weeks.

It's a pity, but all the caterpillars of the bindweed hawk moth died. At first they crawled restlessly, then shrank, as they usually prepare for pupation, but then they began to wither. I don't know what they were missing?

Hawk moth caterpillars, such as bindweed, are very much in need of high humidity when pupating. They pupate in the ground, making a small burrow. After that, the caterpillar releases a significant amount of moisture, which is soaked into the walls of the burrow, and in such conditions it pupates. If the pre-pupae of convolvulus lie in an open container with good ventilation, where all the moisture released by them dries up, then they cannot pupate. This does not apply to hawks that pupate on the surface of the substrate in cocoons in the lungs, such as oleander, for example.

Green worms (Daphnis nerii caterpillars)

1, 2--do you know them? 1: Hippotion celerio 2: Marumba sperchius ussuriensis O. Bang-Haas.
3, 4: Hyles hippophaes shugnana Scheljuzhko.
5: most likely, too.hippophaes shugnana Sch. (the following subspecies are also known in Central Asia:
? bienerti; bucharana. There are several other subspecies that are not specified for the ex-USSR, but are geographically close to the Sr. Find out where your instances are from. In general, the geographical succession of hippophaes subspecies is not completely defined, and it requires confirmation of data, even if they are reduced to invalid taxa).
6: Most likely Dolbina exacta Stgr., which is extremely similar to D. tankrei Stgr., differ in small features and genitalia. In many species of lepidoptera, their variability is difficult to determine, it happens that only on the genitals, etc., etc. So that it is Dolbina exacta Stgr.

Hawk moth caterpillars, such as bindweed, are very much in need of high humidity when pupating. They pupate in the ground, making a small burrow. After that, the caterpillar releases a significant amount of moisture, which is soaked into the walls of the burrow, and in such conditions it pupates. If the pre-pupae of convolvulus lie in an open container with good ventilation, where all the moisture released by them dries up, then they cannot pupate. This does not apply to hawks that pupate on the surface of the substrate in cocoons in the lungs, such as oleander, for example.

My son and I are beginners,but we can brag about something. Sphingidae is one of our favorite groups. This year, several specimens were caught. Acosmerix naga naga in the suburbs of Vladivostok. The year of this species in 2012 was June 17-26.

I ask for help
how to distinguish the gender of lilac hawkmoth?
thank you in advance

What, no one knows
     

   This is really great! But earlier, I don't remember exactly, they were considered residents of Tajikistan. Images (~of the nominative subspecies) from the Far East will perfectly complement the differences from hissarica in appearance, if you do not rush "deeper"yet. This is the first time I've seen this subspecies in good condition. Thank you.....

See the abandoned topic "Far Eastern Hawkmoth". There are my photos: -)

Manduca sexta caterpillars

Manduca sexta caterpillars

No, they are not infected with anything, just some excess was formed and they had to give it to them. Titmice now constantly watch near the window. (This isn't the first time they've had such a meal.)

Hatched today. The caterpillar was collected in Sentebra on a poplar tree. male

No, they are not infected with anything, just some excess was formed and they had to give it to them. Titmice now constantly watch near the window. (This isn't the first time they've had such a meal.)

here is such a Mimas tiliae in nature
-It is extremely wonderful!!! Although the hawk moth has a flaw, but this (from my observations) is an extremely rare form of "f. obsolete''y Mimas tiliae! No dark false markings on the front fenders. These "spots" are the result of the bifurcation of two medial bands, between which the field is darkened, strongly melanized; this gives the impression of spots. This form without "spots" I have been looking for for many years. I think that you are very lucky!  

Nikita, a question for backfill-are they eating geraniums at your place..?