About Daphnis hypothous Cramer, 1780
The wingspan of Daphnis hypothous Cramer, 1780 ranges from 86 to 120 mm. This species is an extremely fast flyer, and adults are attracted to both sweet-smelling flowers and light. It can be distinguished from the related species Daphnis nerii by its uniformly dark purplish brown head and collar. The thorax and first two abdominal segments are dark green, and the first abdominal segment has a white fringe. The remaining abdominal segments are dark olive green, with the same pattern of streaks and spots seen in D. nerii. Its wings have a similar overall pattern to D. nerii wings, but are much darker on both the dorsal and ventral surfaces. A white spot is located at the apex of the forewing, and another white spot is present at the end of the cell on the ventral side of the forewing. The larva is green, with yellow dots along its sides. It has a dark dorsal line, and a subdorsal purple-red band edged with yellow on its thoracic somites, plus a blue ocellus on the third somite. The larval horn is purplish brown and covered in white tubercles. Before pupation, the larva develops dark red blotches across its body. Caterpillars of this species have been recorded feeding on plants from the genera Breonia, Cinchona, Ixora, Pavetta, Uncaria, Wendlandia and Alstonia.
