Sphinx analis Felder, R., [1874], in Felder, Felder & Rogenhofer, Reise öst. Fregatte Novara (Zool.) 2 (Abt. 2) : pl. 78, fig. 4. Type locality: [China,] Shanghai.
Wingspan: 106--150mm.
Rarely found below 500m altitude. The resting position of the moth is the same as that of M. nyctiphanes (Bell & Scott, 1937).
China: viii (Fujian).
OVUM: Pale yellow, oval (1.25 x 1.50mm), shiny and smooth. Small for the size of moth.
LARVA: Full-fed 82--90mm, horn 11-13 mm. According to Bell & Scott (1937), in the final instar body tapering slightly from segment 6 forward to the large round head; horn long, straight, conical. True clypeus less than half the height of the head. Surface of head and body dull; the segments well defined, with five secondary rings on segments 2 and 3, six on 4, and eight on 5 to 11. Each ring on 2 to 10 has a transverse row of small rounded tubercles, which become smaller on the posterior segments and disappear on 11 and 12. Horn and faces of anal claspers tuberculate, with a triangle of polished, button-like tubercles on the anal flap.
In colour, head and body green above the spiracles, greyish green below these and on the venter; segments 2 to 4 immaculate. There are yellow oblique lateral stripes on segments 5 to 7 and on 11, the latter running across 12 to base of horn; the dorsal area between the stripes lilac. Horn black above, yellow on the sides. Spiracles oval, greyish-yellow, with the central slit coffee-coloured, the whole lying on oval yellow patch.
PUPA: 47--60mm. Reddish-brown. Similar in shape to that of M. nyctiphanes; tongue-case free, not curved into a spiral, touching venter at about middle of thorax; the bulbous end reaches to tip of wing-case. Antenna reaching to middle of wing-case; the fore leg shorter and the mid-leg longer than the antenna; coxal piece very small and narrow. Surface shiny, abdominal segments well defined; the sculpturing on segment 4 narrow flat surfaces, broadening slightly laterad; antespiracular ridges on 9 to 11 in the form of three parallel ridges on each. Cremaster stout, conical, rugose above and below, with a ventral median ridge at extremity which is prolonged into a short, highly polished, bifid shaft. Pupation in a cell underground (Bell & Scott, 1937).
Larval hostplants. Sassafras tzuma in China. Also an occasional pest of Magnolia in that country (Cheng & Huang, 1990).
China: Shanghai; Zhejiang (Tianmu Shan); Hubei (Lichuan); Sichuan (Pengshui); Yunnan; south Xizang/Tibet (Mutu, Namjagbarwa region, 850m (Wang, 1988); Jiangxi; Fujian (Guangze, 1200m; Longqi Shan); Guangdong (Shaoguan, 700m); Hainan.
India, Nepal, southern China, northern Thailand and northern Vietnam (Lao Cai Province).
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