Hippotion moorei

Description

Hippotion moorei is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It is known from dry areas from northern Tanzania to Ethiopia and Somalia. The length of the forewings 28–34 mm for males and 35–40 mm for females. It is very similar to Hippotion rosae, but can be distinguished by the absence of the white margins to the tegulae and the thorax, which is unicolorous. The antennae are bright pink. Some specimens (form canens) are identical with H. rosae, except for the absence of the white margins to the thorax. Others (form moorei) have pinkish hindwings and are pinkish below. More extreme specimens are completely bright vinaceous above and below and speckled with blackish. All transitions between the extreme grey and pink forms occur in the same localities and therefore there is no question of subspecific differentiation. These forms are probably seasonal and climatic, the grey individuals being wet-season forms.