The adult grows to a length of about 70 millimetres (2.8 in).[2] 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.
The subspecies T. l. tenebrosa is darker on both upper and undersides than T. l. lucasii, which again is darker than T. l. rhesus. 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.[3]
Theretra latreillii latreillii - nominate from Australia
Theretra latreillii lucasii (Walker, 1856) (Sri Lanka, southern and north-eastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Andaman Islands, Thailand, southern and eastern China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines)[4]
^ abHerbison-Evans, Don & Crossley, Stella (18 April 2017). "Theretra latreillii (W.S.Macleay, 1826)". Australian Caterpillars and their Butterflies and Moths. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
