Deilephila elpenor
A beautiful pink, khaki and black species that cannot be confused with any other species except Deilephila rivularis, from which it can be easily distinguished by the lack of a series of white spots in the median pink stripe on the upperside of the abdomen. Upperside of head, thorax and abdomen khaki, except for the inner edges and median line of the tegulae, posterior margin of thorax, base of abdomen, abdominal medial line and terminal abdominal segments, all of which are pink. Upperside of forewing khaki, except for costa, a narrow, medial band extending from the inner margin to M3, a narrow postmedial band extending from the inner margin to the apex, and the marginal band, all of which are pink. Basal half of hindwing upperside black, degree of development distally more restricted in specimens from the Himalayan region (former subspecies macromera); distal half pink; distal edge of black area almost straight and parallel to outer margin, so that pink area is of almost even width across the wing.
Male genitalia: Similar to those of Deilephila porcellus but: Uncus more slender. Gnathos more rounded distally. Stridulatory scales of valve more numerous. Harpe longer. Apical dentate process of phallus longer.
Records from the far west of Nepal remain to be confirmed.