[Theory] Dunsparce is a MOTH!? Pokémon design theories

[icycatelf]

I've been really into moths since I first found one resembling Shiny Dunsparce, the Rosy Maple Moth, resting on my front door a few years ago. Maybe it's just the moth fan in me hoping there's something here, but after thinking about it for a while, I concluded that Dunsparce may have a legitimate connection to moths!

Some of you may know that Dunsparce is supposed to based on Japan's fat-snake cryptid, the Tsuchinoko. More specifically, it's a pun on one of its aliases "Bachi Hebi" (bee snake), likely referring to its short stinger-like tail. Thus far, all photos of the creature have turned out to be misidentifications of other species, including lizards, large slugs, and hornworms, if not straight-up hoaxes. I for one think these hornworm misidentifications may be reflected in Dunsparce's design.

An alleged Tsuchinoko that turned out to be a hornworm​

Hornworms (sphinx moth caterpillars) can be rather large caterpillars with a thorn-like appendage poking out from their rear. Some species even have eyespots that help them mimic snakes to deter predators. In comparison, Dunsparce is a rather large larva-like Pokémon (4' 11" according to the Pokédex, but usually depicted smaller) with a horn poking out of its rear, but what really convinces me of the caterpillar connection are those ring-circled eyes. They sure look like eyespots to me!

"The Dunsparce Deception" compares Dunsparce to Caterpie (based on swallowtail caterpillars, which resemble some hornworm species)

Some sphinx caterpillars even turn pink! Shiny Dunsparce, anyone?​

Dunsparce also seems to share many characteristics with an Egyptian sphinx, after which these caterpillars were named. The prongs on its chin may simultaneously represent the forearms and false beard of a resting sphinx, while the stripes on its back (also nodding to bees) resemble blue-and-gold-striped Egyptian headpieces called a nemes. (Coincidentally, these headpieces also depict a snake, perhaps hearkening back to the serpentine side of Dunsparce's origin.) Its eyespot-like eyes may double as a reference to Egyptian eyeliner.

"Sphinx; so named from the fancied resemblance of the larva, when in repose, to the Egyptian Sphinx." — An accentuated list of the British Lepidoptera, with hints on the derivation of the names

Model of a winged Egyptian sphinx

Dunsparce's tail could be interpreted as a pyramid positioned behind a sphinx​

Despite it having wings, I'm not convinced that Dunsparce draws inspiration from adult moths. However, it may be worth noting that some sphinx moths mimic bees. Seeing that sphinx moth pupae also share similarities with Dunsparce—the underdeveloped wings, drill-shaped abdomen, lack of legs, and the fact that they burrow underground (to pupate)—it might not be too farfetched to think of Dunsparce as a hornworm that hasn't quite fully matured into a moth.

Snowberry Clearwing, a bumblebee mimic

Tersa Sphinx pupa​

In a nutshell, Dunsparce's design may be a combined pun of bee snake and sphinx caterpillar.

What do you think, and do you have any of your own Pokémon design theories to share?

 

[LusoTrainer]

As a kid, I never thought of Dunsparce as an insect (to be honest, I don't think I ever gave it that much thought). But I always viewed it as some type of worm.

Come to think of it, it's also one of those rare Pokémon that I never encountered when I played GSC.

 

[icycatelf]

As a kid, I never thought of Dunsparce as an insect (to be honest, I don't think I ever gave it that much thought). But I always viewed it as some type of worm.

Come to think of it, it's also one of those rare Pokémon that I never encountered when I played GSC.

Until I read that it was based on the Tsuchinoko years later, I was under the impression that it was some kind of larva. I tried evolving it into Gligar in Silver Version. :|

 

[icycatelf]

It occurred to me that Dunsparce may not only draw partial inspiration from hornworms (sphinx moth caterpillars) sometimes mistaken for the Tsuchinoko, but its design may also play on the "sphinx" part of sphinx caterpillar. I've updated the main post.