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Is there a Privet
Hawk-moth in your garden tonight?
by Roger Wasley
____________________________________________________
Posted: 25th May 2007
If you thought all moths were a dull brown colour and ate holes in your clothes you might be pleasantly surprised this month. Some of our more dramatic looking moths are on the wing now.
One of the most colourful moths to be found in urban gardens from now until July is the Privet
Hawkmoth. You'll know this moth when you see it. The pink and black bands on the
abdomen make this moth unmistakable.
It's also a very large moth. In fact it's our largest resident moth as
this photo shows. It's got a wingspan of around 100mm and a body
length of around 50mm, which is bigger than some of our native
mammals.
Photo: Janet Rouse
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The
Privet Hawk-moth is fairly common in the UK, recorded widely from Cornwall and the Scilly Isles to Kent, and northwards to a line from
the River Severn to the Wash. It is a localised species in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and the West Midlands.
It's a largely coastal species in Wales and there are scattered records from
northern England.
The foodplant of the larva is quite varied. Caterpillars prefer wild and garden
privet (hence the name), young ash saplings, lilac and guelder-rose.
Other hawk-moths to look out for this month:
Photo: Steve Botham
Elephant Hawk-moth |
Photo: Sue
Parrott
Lime Hawk-moth |
Photo: Dean
Stables
Eyed Hawk-moth |
Photo: Dilys Boot
Humming-bird Hawk-moth
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Discover More about the Moths in Your Garden:
 Safari
Humane Moth Trap
Perfect way to trap
garden moths at night. Just set it up in the evening, go to bed, then
check or photograph your catch in the morning
Our Price: £75 |
Bug
Collecting Tins
Nest of five glass topped tins. A neat way to collect and get a good
view of specimens
Our Price: £7.95 |
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Hawk
Moths of the British Isles