As many of you know, Insects especially Moths and Dragonflies have always been of great interest to me. I have spent many years studying both groups in particular Hawk-moths and Saturniidae (Silkmoths).
I have worked closely with a number of entomologists in a professional capacity from around the world documenting photographically these exceptional insects. In between other photographic commitments, I try, whenever I can, to make time to travel and photograph these wonderful creatures.
The Apple Hawk-moth Langia zenzeroides formosana is a large beautiful endemic Hawk-moth from the mountains of Taiwan.
The moth, unlike most other hawk-moths, has an unusual resting posture where its forewings are swept forward (penthouse-wise) covering the upper aspect of the abdomen exposing the characteristic elevated tip which is synonymous with this species.
Little is known about the early aspects of its life history. Adults are rather sluggish during the day but if alarmed they make a hissing or squeaking sound similar to that of the Death’s head Hawk-moth. Acherontia atropos.
The moths have vestigial mouthparts and therefore do not feed in the adult stage.
The fully-grown larva is impressive, reaching up to 12cm in length and apple-green in colour when fully mature. The larva rests on the underside of leaves and twigs. When threatened, it thrashes from side to side making a hissing sound.
The larva pupates below ground where it spends the winter months before emergence the following year.