Theretra latreillii
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~30%
Theretra latreillii, the pale brown hawk moth, is a moth of the family Sphingidae described by William Sharp Macleay in 1826. It is found in most of Asia, including Borneo, China, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Taiwan and also throughout the tropical and temperate regions of Australia.
The adult grows to a length of about 70 millimetres (2.8 in). The body is ochreous brown. Antennae, head front and sides of thorax are paler. Forewing with a black speck at end of cell. There are two oblique indistinct lines from near the apex to near base of inner margin. Three similar lines running from the apex nearly parallel to outer margin. Hindwing is smoky black with paler towards anal angle. Ventral side is with a slight rosy tinge.
Larva is brown with darker specks. A pale lateral line runs on thoracic somites. Ocellus on 4th somite is whitish, centered with a black ring on an ochreous ground. Larvae have been recorded on Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Cayratia clematidea, Cayratia corniculata, Impatiens walleriana, Leea indica, Lagerstroemia indica... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 2 | Lamington National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 3 | Springbrook National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 4 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Pale Brown Hawkmoth sighting in Sydney on a given day, based on 89 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 126th most-seen of the 742 insects we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
December to April
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Pale Brown Hawkmoth in Sydney on a given day, against under 5% in May to November, the lowest months.
Between 7 and 10 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Pale Brown Hawkmoth sightings with a recorded time, and about 7 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is seen both by day and at night.
Among the best
Of the 2 cities where we can rate Pale Brown Hawkmoth sightings, Sydney ranks 2nd at about 10%, level with the leaders once rounded. The best odds are in Brisbane (Australia, about 10%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Pale Brown Hawkmoth is recorded against all the insects logged in Sydney (89 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
