Ummmmmm, the privet hawk moth (
Psilogramma menephron) caterpillars eat members of the families Bignoniaceae and Oleaceae, including "olive trees (Olea europaea, OLEACEAE), but is perhaps most often found in suburbia on privet (Ligustrum vulgare, OLEACEAE ), jasmine (Jasminum officinale, OLEACEAE ), and Australian native olive (Olea paniculata, OLEACEAE)" (
ref). You were perhaps expecting that because it is found in the tropical Pacific, therefore privet is found there too?
Best,
F