''Hemeroplanes ornatus'' is a species of sphinx moth native from Mexico through northern South America. The species was first described by Walter Rothschild in 1894.

Description

''H. ornatus'' is mainly light brownish gray with green, pink, and dark brown markings. In the forewing cell, there is a short silver mark. There is a greenish-brown stripe running the length of the abdomen, with three yellow lateral stripes on the second, third, and fourth segments. Hemeroplanes ornatus MHNT CUT 2010 0 508 La Troncal Cañar Ecuador, male dorsal.jpg, ''Hemeroplanes ornatus'' ♂ Hemeroplanes ornatus MHNT CUT 2010 0 508 La Troncal Cañar Ecuador, male ventral.jpg, ''Hemeroplanes ornatus'' ♂ △ Hemeroplanes ornatus MHNT CUT 2010 0 508 La Troncal Cañar Ecuador, female dorsal.jpg, ''Hemeroplanes ornatus'' ♀ Hemeroplanes ornatus MHNT CUT 2010 0 508 La Troncal Cañar Ecuador, female ventral.jpg, ''Hemeroplanes ornatus'' ♀ △

Life cycle

The female releases pheromones to attract males. The

caterpillar Caterpillars ( ) are the larval stage of members of the order Lepidoptera (the insect order comprising butterflies and moths). As with most common names, the application of the word is arbitrary, since the larvae of sawflies (suborder Sym ...

is green, camouflaged against its host plant ''

Fischeria panamensis ''Fischeria'' may refer to: * ''Fischeria'' (fly), a genus of flies in the family Tachinidae * ''Fischeria'' (plant), a genus of plants in the family Apocynaceae *'' MV Fischeria'', a ship {{Disambiguation, genus ...

''. However, when disturbed, the caterpillar hangs from the vine with his prolegs and puffs up its head and thorax. The underside of its body is brown, and it has a pair of false eyes on the thorax, making it look like a small snake. It will move back and forth and strike at predators.

References

Dilophonotini Moths described in 1893 Taxa named by Walter Rothschild Sphingidae of South America Moths of Central America {{Dilophonotini-stub