Subject: Large Moth in Hanoi
Geographic location of the bug: Hanoi, Vietnam
Date: 02/21/2018
Time: 08:37 PM EDT
Your letter to the bugman: Dear bugman,
The moth in the uploaded image appeared
on the wall in our stairway this morning, 21 Feb 2018, in
Hanoi, Vietnam. I would like to know what it is. It is about
15cm from wingtip to wingtip as shown in the image. The
stairway is quite open and often lit through the night, so
it is easy for it to enter. It is winter here, just starting
to warm up to 20C after a colder period and quite humid with
occasional light rain. Only last week I started
noticing butterflies again as the weather warmed.
Dear bugman,
A couple more photos of the same moth attached. I found it again on the floor by the wall when I returned in the evening. I thought it had died at first. I nudged it and saw it move so carefully eased it onto some card, with the intention of taking onto our balcony to give it an easier escape route and protect it from rats and people. I put some honey mixed with water onto the card in case that might help give it some energy. Then as I was trying to nudge it into something more sturdy to shelter it from the breeze, it took off.
Even if you can’t respond I hope you enjoy this beautiful moth.
Cheers
Paul
Dear Paul,
Thanks for resending additional images. We did not receive your first identification request which is very puzzling. This is a Mango Hawkmoth, Amplypterus panopus, and we identified it on the Sphingidae of the Eastern Palaearctic site where it states: “The moth is sluggish during the daytime and allows itself to be handled, but at night it flies strongly. It has never been seen feeding at flowers, nor does it seem to come readily to light, though Mell states that it has frequently been caught at light in Java. It emerges from the pupa after dark, and pairs after midnight when in captivity.” There are also images on iNaturalist.
Dear Daniel and the folks at whatsthatbug.com,
Many thanks for your informative response. Keep up the good work.
Paul