Agrius cingulata, commonly known as the pink-spotted hawkmoth or sweetpotato hornworm, is a
moth in the family
Sphingidae. The species was first described by
Johan Christian Fabricius in 1775. It has a wide range throughout the Americas, with adults migrating north to Canada and south to
Patagonia and the
Falkland Islands. It can also be found in the
Galápagos Islands and
Hawaii, and has been found in western Europe and West Africa. A
nocturnal insect,
A. cingulata feeds on the nectar from deep-throated flowers including
moonflower,
morning glories and
petunia. Its
larva is a large, stout
caterpillar with a horn, which feeds during the day and the night on
sweet potato,
Datura, and other plants. This male
A. cingulata moth was photographed in the Mount Totumas cloud forest in Panama.
Photograph credit: Charles J. Sharp