Two lined velvet hawkmoth
The caterpillars of this large hawkmoth are farmed and eaten as a traditional food across several Chinese provinces, prized for their high fat and protein content.
| Where | Legume fields and forest edges, East Asia |
|---|---|
| Size | 94 to 150 mm wingspan |
| When | April to September |
A large, stout bodied hawkmoth with a velvety texture to the wings, among the bigger sphinx moths found across its East Asian range.
Caterpillars feed on legume vines such as kudzu and related plants, and the moth has long been harvested as food in parts of China, with adults on the wing from spring into autumn depending on the region.
Traits
Habitat
Farmland
Colour
Brown
Active
Night
To people
Not known to bite or sting; the caterpillars are collected and eaten as food in parts of China.
Activity through the year
Often confused with
A related large hawkmoth that tends to run larger overall, with more sharply hooked forewing tips than this species.
Questions
Is the Two lined velvet hawkmoth dangerous to people?
Not known to bite or sting; the caterpillars are collected and eaten as food in parts of China.
When can you see the Two lined velvet hawkmoth?
The Two lined velvet hawkmoth can be seen from April to September, at night.
Plate retouched from a museum specimen photo by Taiwan Biodiversity Research Institute, CC BY 4.0, GBIF Licence
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Butterflies and moths›Hawk moths›Clanis
Last updated 2026-09-27. Every entry is checked against published sources.