69.006 BF1976- Privet Hawk-moth - Sphingidae - Sphinx ligustri

69.006 BF1976 - Sphingidae - Sphinx ligustri - Privet Hawk-moth

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

- click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines

- Rare / Uncommon / Scarce

Taxonomy: Macro >> Sphingidae

ID Difficulty: green

- 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.

Flight Period: June / July / - Usually found during June & July. One generation. Sometimes found at rest during the day, especially after emerging, on vertical surfaces, such as tree trunks and post

Moth Activity: Nocturnal - and is attracted to light

Forewing: 41-55mm

Food Plant: Wild and garden Privet

No Last Date Information Recorded

Last Recorded By: Not Recorded

Last Recorded General Area: Not Recorded

No First Date Information Recorded