Hippotion celerio, also known as the “vine-hawkmoth” or “silver-lined hawkmoth” is a peculiar little hawkmoth originating from Africa and Asia. They have excellent flight capabilities and are often found migrating to parts of Australia and Europe, where they are able to establish populations.

Hippotion celerio (adult)

• Difficulty rating:  Easy (Very easy to breed)
• Rearing difficulty: 3/10 (From egg to pupa)
• Pairing difficulty: 3/10 (Archieving copulations)
• Host plants: Parthenocissus, Vitis, Fuchsia, Epilobium, Cissus and more
•  Natural range:  Europa, Russia, parts of Asia
• Polyphagous:   Yes  
• Generations: Multivoltine (continuously brooded)
• Family: Sphingidae (hawkmoths)
• Pupation:  Subterranean (burrows in soil)
• Prefered climate: Warm to temperate
• Special notes: This species can feed itself in captivity, especially if provided correct lighting and colourful artificial flowers (or flower like objects) with a sweet solution
• Wingspan: 60 – 80 mm

While most Sphingidae (hawkmoths) have trouble adapting to the conditions in captivity, Hippotion celerio is one of the hawkmoths that excels in captivity. If kept properly, independent feeding behaviour can be observed in captivity; the adults are quick to pair and produce a large amount of eggs (75-150+ per female). The lifespan  of the adults can be extended by proper feeding.

Hippotion celerio feeding in captivity from bottle caps with sugar/honey/water solutions; even better  are artificial or real flowers that the moths will easily seek out. 

During the day, the moths can be observed resting – but the activity starts during dusk, in low light conditions. In the early evening the moths will become active and are concerned with feeding. As time passes and the intensity of the daylight diminishes, the moths become more interested in pairing and will often quickly pair up after sundown to midnight. For the adults to be able to pair, they need to be a few days old ideally; freshly emerged moths have little interest in pairing.

Copula of Hippotion celerio in captivity; this species is eager to pair

After copulating, the female will start laying fertile eggs. She prefers to place them upon host plant – in captivity host plant will encourage oviposition of the female. She may however also lay her eggs in random places (in my case: on my hand, or on furniture, or in the holes of the mesh in the cage!)

This species may be a “pest” (though I am reluctant to use this term) in grape fields, for they accept Vitis sp. (Grapevine) as host plant. Other host plants include Epilobium (willowherb), Fuchsia (Fuchsia), Parthenocissus (Virginia creeper), and other related vines such as Cissus.  Notable is that in captivity, this species may also be reared on lettuce!

Eggs of Hippotion celerio 

The eggs are tiny, green and a bit transparent and are laid plentiful. They will hatch relatively fast, in about a week (or less!). In hot conditions, the eggs can hatch as soon as in 5 days time; in colder conditions it takes longer, up to 8+ days. The emerging caterpillars will want to feed on Parthenocissus, Vitis, Fuchsia, Epilobium, Cissus and more – personally, I always use Vitis vinifera (grapevine) to breed Hippotion celerio.

Brown form Hippotion celerio larvae

After feeding for multiple weeks and reaching the final instar, the caterpillars will burrow in the earth, and build a hollow subterranean chamber to pupate in. The pupae are long, thin and silvery grey. The caterpillars are variable in colour and have light (green) and dark (brown) forms. In captivity it is best to provide them soil or shredded paper towel; they will build a subterranean chamber and pupate in it.

Pupae

Hippotion celerio is one of the easiest Sphingidae to breed and very interesting to see in captivity.

Thank you for reading my article. This is the end of this page. Below you will find some useful links to help you navigate my website better or help you find more information that you need about moths and butterflies. 

Dear reader – thank you very much for visiting! Your readership is much appreciated.  Are you perhaps…. (see below)

• • • Not done browsing yet? Then click here to return to the homepage (HOMEPAGE)
    • Looking for a specific species? Then click here to see the full species list (FULL SPECIES LIST) 
    • Looking for general (breeding)guides and information? Then click here to see the general information (GENERAL INFORMATION)
    • Interested in a certain family? Then click here to see all featured Lepidoptera families (FAMILIES)

Citations: Coppens, B. (2019); Written by Bart Coppens; based on a real life breeding experience [for citations in literature and publications] 

Was this information helpful to you? Then please consider contributing here (more information) to keep this information free and support the future of this website. This website is completely free to use, and crowdfunded. Contributions can be made via paypal, patreon, and several other ways.

All the funds I raise online will be invested in the website; in the form of new caresheets, but also rewriting and updating the old caresheets (some are scheduled to be rewritten), my educational websites, Youtube, breeding projects, the study of moths andconservation programs.

Donate button (Liberapay; credit card and VISA accepted)
 
Donate button (PayPal)

Become a member of my Patreon (Patreon)

Find me on YouTube

Find me on Instagram

Join the Discord server: Click here
Join the Whatsapp server: Click here
Buy insect cocoons:  Click here
Facebook:  Click here