69.006 BF1976 – Privet Hawk-moth – Sphinx ligustri
Adult Macro: CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
– Rare / Uncommon / Scarce
– easy to identify, generally distinctive and unlikely to be confused with other species.ID pointers: A very large moth, that is unmistakable. The forewings are dark chocolate brown, with a pale clouded appearance on the leading edge. Black & pink abdomen and blackish thorax.
Distribution: No records since 1900, until an adult was found in a garden in Long Eaton 2014. Further casual records continued until this one appeared in a garden in Sandiacre June 2017. A second specimen on 8th July 2017 trapped in same Sandiacre garden. Small population in this area. The Privet Hawk-moth was thought to be extinct in the county, but is now being trapped with more regularity in recent years, especially in the south and central areas of the county, but still very localised.
General Comment: None *** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Last Recorded By – Not Recorded
Last Recorded General Area – Not Recorded
Selected Images: Sandiacre, Derbyshire – Image by Ian Viles © , Sandiacre, Derbyshire – July 1st 2023 – Tony Davison© / Sandiacre (2025) Emily Milnes©
Image Gallery
Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1900 - 2025) | Immatures: (between 1885 - 2023)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
Distribution Map for Sphinx ligustri
Found 96 records
↳ from 2026+
↳ 62 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 34 from Before 2020
↳ from 2026+
↳ 62 from 2020 - 2025
↳ 34 from Before 2020
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Bedrock Geology ** indirectly affects moth distribution by influencing the type of habitat and food plants available in an area. In turn, this may affect the types of moths that can thrive, or where they can most likely be found.
NBN Atlas UK Distribution for – Sphinx ligustri
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Note – the NBN Atlas datasets are listed in the map below and vary in their currency (uptodateness) – however,
the map does give a general indication of the moth's distribution across the UK.
Monthly Records By Year:
Sphinx ligustri
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Monthly Counts By Year:
Sphinx ligustri
( data is based on 'Adult' stage records only )
First/Last Recorded Dates: Sphinx ligustri
Adult-only & Anything [Larvae, Pupae, Adult, Mines]
Shading shows moth presence between dates
Click the colour discs below to Select/De-select as Required
Recordings By Year: Sphinx ligustri
( All data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Annual Growth Rate (AGR): Sphinx ligustri
AGR: 1.08% | Total % Change: 30.8%
Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Sphinx ligustri
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )
Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
Sphinx ligustri
Sphinx ligustri
Flight Period chart – the grey hatched area above, which can cross one or more months, pictorially represents the best guess we have for this moth's flight periods [month/s]. The coloured lines represent the actual months seen in flight, from site observation records received between 2020-2026.
Records Behind the Map and Charts - Sphinx ligustri – 96 records available
Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns
| Site Name | Tetrad | Date | Count | Stage | Recorder | Source | RecordKey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Findern, Derbyshire | SK33A | 30/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Hallam, Brian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42918827 |
| Findern, Derbyshire | SK33A | 27/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Hallam, Brian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42751781 |
| Findern, Derbyshire | SK33A | 25/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Hallam, Brian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42709525 |
| NGLong Eaton | SK43R | 21/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Braddock, Archie | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50383957 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 20/06/2025 | 3 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC48390954 |
| Chaddesden, Derby | SK33T | 19/06/2025 | 1 | adult | roome, martin | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC43881876 |
| NGLong Eaton | SK43R | 17/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Braddock, Archie | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50383950 |
| NGLong Eaton | SK43R | 15/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Braddock, Archie | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50383946 |
| NGLong Eaton | SK43R | 14/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Braddock, Archie | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC50383935 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 12/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42597065 |
| Sandiacre Garden | SK43T | 12/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Milnes, Emily | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC49528959 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 06/06/2025 | 3 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC48390808 |
| DWT Wyver Lane | SK35K | 03/06/2025 | 1 | adult | Evans, Dave | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC42046006 |
| Stonebroom | SK45E | 19/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Bradley, Jonathan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC37224836 |
| Sandiacre | SK43S | 14/07/2024 | 1 | adult | paul buxton | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC37065588 |
| Sandiacre garden | SK43S | 14/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Butler, Anne | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC37764283 |
| Stonebroom | SK45E | 08/07/2024 | 1 | adult | Bradley, Jonathan | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36905109 |
| Sandiacre | SK43S | 02/07/2024 | 1 | adult | paul buxton | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC36986058 |
| Sandiacre Garden | SK43S | 24/06/2024 | 1 | adult | Butler, Anne | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC37764245 |
| Sandiacre Garden | SK43T | 08/06/2024 | 1 | adult | Milnes, Emily | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC39165631 |
| Forbes Hole LNR | SK43W | 10/08/2023 | 1 | adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC32530928 |
| Glapwell | SK46T | 10/08/2023 | 1 | larva | Penson, Melanie | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC32305285 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 21/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33496789 |
| Findern Garden | SK33A | 07/07/2023 | 1 | Adult | Hallam, Brian | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34637569 |
| Sandiacre | SK43T | 01/07/2023 | 1 | adult | Milnes, Emily | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34402500 |
| Wensleydale Road, Long Eaton | SK43R | 17/06/2023 | 1 | adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC30940144 |
| Marlborough Road, Long Eaton, Derbys | SK43X | 10/06/2023 | 1 | adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC30795159 |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 10/06/2023 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621299 |
| Church Lane, Sheffield, England, GB | SK38A | 09/06/2023 | 1 | Adult | anitacampb | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC30777104 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 16/07/2022 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27846151 |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 08/07/2022 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621300 |
| Long Eaton | SK43W | 03/07/2022 | 1 | Adult | Warren, Sarah | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC26648834 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 01/07/2022 | 2 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27845984 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 25/06/2022 | 2 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27845946 |
| Staveveley Derbyshire | SK47H | 20/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Morris, Sid | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC25913884 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 17/06/2022 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27845890 |
| Sandiacre, Longmoor Lane | SK43T | 17/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC25863810 |
| Long Eaton , Wensleydale Road | SK43R | 16/06/2022 | 3 | adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC25833584 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 15/06/2022 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27845816 |
| Sandiacre | SK43T | 15/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Milnes, Emily | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35176729 |
| Sandiacre | SK43T | 14/06/2022 | 1 | adult | Milnes, Emily | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC35176559 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 12/06/2022 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27845773 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 28/05/2022 | 1 | Adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC27845644 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 19/07/2021 | 2 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34960568 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 14/07/2021 | 1 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34960556 |
| Allestree, Derby | SK33P | 14/07/2021 | 1 | adult | Plant, Stephen | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC46668846 |
| Not given | SK43W | 09/07/2021 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC20963054 |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 03/07/2021 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621301 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 02/07/2021 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33498601 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 15/06/2021 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33498429 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 11/06/2021 | 3 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33498367 |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 05/06/2021 | 2 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621302 |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 21/05/2021 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621303 |
| Elgar Drive, Sawley, Long Eaton | SK43R | 15/05/2021 | 1 | adult | BRADDOCK, Mr A. | Danes_2019-2021 | 230 |
| Vanguard Rd, Long Eaton | SK43W | 13/07/2020 | 1 | adult | MAKIN, Mrs K. | Danes_2019-2021 | 560 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 30/06/2020 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33501327 |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 19/06/2020 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621304 |
| Elgar Drive, Sawley, Long Eaton | SK43R | 10/06/2020 | 2 | adult | BRADDOCK, Mr A. | Danes_2019-2021 | 694 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 08/06/2020 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33500938 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 02/06/2020 | 3 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33500883 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 30/05/2020 | 3 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33500808 |
| Woodland Ave | SK43R | 25/05/2020 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33500743 |
| Risley Rd, Risley | SK43S | 15/09/2019 | 1 | larva | FARRELL, Mrs M. | Danes_2019-2021 | 927 |
| Ennerdale Road, Long Eaton | SK43S | 21/08/2019 | 1 | Larva | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC11544048 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 21/07/2019 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP338 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 09/07/2019 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP0IZ |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 07/07/2019 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP0I9 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 05/07/2019 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP32H |
| Back Lane, Glapwell | SK46T | 01/07/2019 | 1 | adult | CULPIN, Mr J. | Danes_2019-2021 | 1510 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 30/06/2019 | 2 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP0HE |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 30/06/2019 | 2 | adult | HILL, Mr B.J.N. | Danes_2019-2021 | 1511 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 23/06/2019 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP30O |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 23/06/2019 | 1 | adult | HILL, Mr B.J.N. | Danes_2019-2021 | 1562 |
| Briar Close, Newhall, Swadlincote | SK22V | 05/06/2019 | 1 | adult | PEACH, Mr K. | Danes_2019-2021 | 1590 |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 14/06/2018 | 2 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621305 |
| Pleasley Pit CP, Pleasley | SK46X | 10/06/2017 | 1 | Adult | B.J.N. Hill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQJT6 |
| Long Eaton Gravel Pits | SK53A | 13/06/2016 | 1 | adult | Thorpe, Steve | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC33504565 |
| Long Eaton | SK53A | 13/06/2016 | 1 | Adult | P. Buxton;S. Browne | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPPSZ |
| Long Eaton - Marlborough Road | SK43X | 27/06/2014 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_irecords_extract | iBRC34621306 |
| Marlborough Rd,Long Eaton | SK43X | 27/06/2014 | 1 | Adult | Bryce, Marion | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WQ8AS |
| Marlborough Rd, Long Eaton | SK43X | 24/08/2013 | 1 | Larvae | Bryce, Marion | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPSK1 |
| Norton Park Crescent, Norton, Sheffield | SK38K | 14/09/2011 | 1 | Pupae | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJTM9 |
| Poolsbrook, Staveley (site not precise) | SK47G | 08/06/2000 | 1 | Adult | S. Hooke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPGYN |
| Sandcliffe Rd, Midway, Swadlincote | SK32A | 01/01/1974 | 1 | Larvae | [VC57 Recorder] | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001TAGC3 |
| Poolsbrook, Staveley (site not precise) | SK47G | 08/06/1900 | 1 | Adult | S. Hooke | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OHD29 |
| Mickleover, Derby (site not precise) | SK33C | 01/01/1890 | 1 | Adult | R.C. Bindley | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPZ9O |
| Stapenhill, Burton on Trent | SK22K | 01/01/1885 | 1 | Larvae | [VC57 Recorder] | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001TAG9M |
| Stapenhill, Burton on Trent | SK22K | 01/01/1885 | 1 | Larvae | C.F. Thornewill | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WP37K |
| Findern, Derby (site not precise) | SK33A | 01/01/1885 | 1 | Adult | [VC57 Recorder] | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001TAGFI |
| Findern, Derby (site not precise) | SK33A | 01/01/1885 | 1 | Adult | G.A. Smallwood | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPQ3U |
| Repton (site not precise) | SK32B | 01/01/1878 | 1 | Adult | F.M. Spilsbury | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPZ81 |
| Burton on Trent area (site not precise) | SK22K | 01/01/1863 | 1 | Adult | [VC57 Recorder] | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001TAG9N |
| Derby (site not precise) | SK33L | 01/01/1829 | 1 | Adult | S. Glover | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001WPU2G |
| Repton (site not precise) | SK32B | 01/01/1800 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OJYHY |
| Mickleover, Derby (site not precise) | SK33C | 01/01/1800 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OKCN4 |
| Derby (site not precise) | SK33L | 01/01/1800 | 1 | Adult | VC57 Derbyshire Recorder | vc57_danes_bc_data | LC000334001OLFF5 |