69.003 BF1981 - Poplar Hawk-moth - Sphingidae - Laothoe populi

69.003 BF1981 - Sphingidae - Laothoe populi - Poplar Hawk-moth

Adult Macro: CAT 1 - Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others -

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Generally Common / Widespread

Taxonomy: Macro >> Sphingidae

ID Difficulty: green

- easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.

ID pointers: An unmistakable hawk-moth. The bright chestnut patches on the hind-wings are diagnostic. The forewing sometimes shows pinkish, bluish-grey or even purple tinges and a small white central spot.The hind wings are sometimes held forward of the forewing, giving it a very distinctive appearance.

Distribution: A resident that is common and well distributed throughout Derbyshire. The largest population densities are found in the Trent Valley in the southern lowlands.

Flight Period: May / June / July / August / September / - On the wing May through to September – one generation

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Forewing: 30-46mm

Food Plant: Poplars including Aspen, White, Black and Lombardy Poplar. Also frequent on sallows and willows.

Recorded dates for Common [Blue-coded ] moths are not stored on the website at this current time.

IMAGES BELOW: Melbourne, Derbyshire – Images by Tony Davison ©