Death's-head Hawk-moth       Pine Hawk-moth
Privet Hawk-moth - Tony Davison
69.006 BF1976  – Privet Hawk-moth  – Sphinx ligustri
Adult Macro:  CAT 1 – Distinctive species unlikely to be confused with others –      
PDF Icon – click for Adult Macro Verification Guidelines
Green –  Rare / Uncommon / Scarce   
Taxonomy:   Macro  >>.  >>  Sphingidae  >> Sphinginae
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.
General Comment: None 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 Photographed: Yes –  Photographed By: Tony Davison, Ian Viles, Emily Milnes  © All Rights Reserved
*** Last updated on 2 October 2025 by RP ***
Forewing: 41-55mm Food Plant: Wild and garden Privet
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©

69.006 BF1976- Privet Hawk-moth - Sphingidae - Sphinx pinastri
Privet Hawk- Ian Viles
Privet Hawk-moth - Tony Davison
Privet-Hawk-moth – Tony Davison
Privet Hawk-moth - 12th June 2025 - Sandiacre - Emily Milnes
Privet Hawk-moth – 12th June 2025 – Sandiacre – Emily Milnes
69.006 BF1976- Privet Hawk-moth - Sphingidae - Sphinx pinastri
Privet Hawk-moth - Tony Davison
Privet Hawk-moth - 12th June 2025 - Sandiacre - Emily Milnes

 
 

Image Gallery

Privet Hawk-moth - 12th June 2025 - Sandiacre - Emily Milnes

Temporal Distribution Chart
Adults: (between 1900 - 2025)  |  Immatures: (between 1885 - 2023)
(click legend below to show/hide datasets)
 

Distribution Map for Sphinx ligustri

Found 92 records
    ↳ from 2026+
    ↳ 58 from 2020 - 2025
    ↳ 34 from Before 2020
Flying
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

If the Map Layers function fails, just refresh the page and it should be OK after. Use the +- zoom on the top left, or on a tablet, use two fingers to zoom. Remember, the last layer you ticked is the one which displays the popup information - they sit on top of each other - de-select then re-select, to see the popup values.

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.

Visit NBN Site


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: 1.48%   |   Total % Change: 44.4%

Hectad (10kmx10km) Coverage: Sphinx ligustri
( data includes both Larvae and Adult Stages )

Flight Periods – Indicative –vs– Recorded Data
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 – 92 records available

Listed by Year - descending - scroll across to see all table columns

Site NameTetradDateCountStageRecorderSourceRecordKey
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A30/06/20251adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42918827
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A27/06/20251adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42751781
Findern, DerbyshireSK33A25/06/20251adultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42709525
Woodland AveSK43R20/06/20253adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC48390954
Chaddesden, DerbySK33T19/06/20251adultroome, martinvc57_irecords_extractiBRC43881876
Allestree, DerbySK33P12/06/20251adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC42597065
Sandiacre GardenSK43T12/06/20251adultMilnes, Emilyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC49528959
Woodland AveSK43R06/06/20253adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC48390808
DWT Wyver LaneSK35K03/06/20251adultEvans, Davevc57_irecords_extractiBRC42046006
StonebroomSK45E19/07/20241adultBradley, Jonathanvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37224836
SandiacreSK43S14/07/20241adultpaul buxtonvc57_irecords_extractiBRC37065588
Sandiacre gardenSK43S14/07/20241adultButler, Annevc57_irecords_extractiBRC37764283
StonebroomSK45E08/07/20241adultBradley, Jonathanvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36905109
SandiacreSK43S02/07/20241adultpaul buxtonvc57_irecords_extractiBRC36986058
Sandiacre GardenSK43S24/06/20241adultButler, Annevc57_irecords_extractiBRC37764245
Sandiacre GardenSK43T08/06/20241adultMilnes, Emilyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC39165631
GlapwellSK46T10/08/20231larvaPenson, Melanievc57_irecords_extractiBRC32305285
Forbes Hole LNRSK43W10/08/20231adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC32530928
Woodland AveSK43R21/07/20231adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33496789
Findern GardenSK33A07/07/20231AdultHallam, Brianvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34637569
SandiacreSK43T01/07/20231adultMilnes, Emilyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34402500
Wensleydale Road, Long EatonSK43R17/06/20231adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC30940144
Marlborough Road, Long Eaton, DerbysSK43X10/06/20231adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC30795159
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X10/06/20231AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621299
Church Lane, Sheffield, England, GBSK38A09/06/20231Adultanitacampbvc57_irecords_extractiBRC30777104
Woodland AveSK43R16/07/20221AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC27846151
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X08/07/20221AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621300
Long EatonSK43W03/07/20221AdultWarren, Sarahvc57_irecords_extractiBRC26648834
Woodland AveSK43R01/07/20222AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC27845984
Woodland AveSK43R25/06/20222AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC27845946
Staveveley DerbyshireSK47H20/06/20221adultMorris, Sidvc57_irecords_extractiBRC25913884
Sandiacre, Longmoor LaneSK43T17/06/20221adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC25863810
Woodland AveSK43R17/06/20221AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC27845890
Long Eaton , Wensleydale RoadSK43R16/06/20223adultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC25833584
Woodland AveSK43R15/06/20221AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC27845816
SandiacreSK43T15/06/20221adultMilnes, Emilyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35176729
SandiacreSK43T14/06/20221adultMilnes, Emilyvc57_irecords_extractiBRC35176559
Woodland AveSK43R12/06/20221AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC27845773
Woodland AveSK43R28/05/20221AdultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC27845644
Allestree, DerbySK33P19/07/20212adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34960568
Allestree, DerbySK33P14/07/20211adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34960556
Allestree, DerbySK33P14/07/20211adultPlant, Stephenvc57_irecords_extractiBRC46668846
Not givenSK43W09/07/20211AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC20963054
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X03/07/20211AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621301
Woodland AveSK43R02/07/20211adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33498601
Woodland AveSK43R15/06/20211adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33498429
Woodland AveSK43R11/06/20213adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33498367
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X05/06/20212AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621302
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X21/05/20211AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621303
Elgar Drive, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R15/05/20211adultBRADDOCK, Mr A.Danes_2019-2021230
Vanguard Rd, Long EatonSK43W13/07/20201adultMAKIN, Mrs K.Danes_2019-2021560
Woodland AveSK43R30/06/20201adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33501327
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X19/06/20201AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621304
Elgar Drive, Sawley, Long EatonSK43R10/06/20202adultBRADDOCK, Mr A.Danes_2019-2021694
Woodland AveSK43R08/06/20201adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33500938
Woodland AveSK43R02/06/20203adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33500883
Woodland AveSK43R30/05/20203adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33500808
Woodland AveSK43R25/05/20201adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33500743
Risley Rd, RisleySK43S15/09/20191larvaFARRELL, Mrs M.Danes_2019-2021927
Ennerdale Road, Long EatonSK43S21/08/20191LarvaBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC11544048
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X21/07/20191AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP338
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X09/07/20191AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP0IZ
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X07/07/20191AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP0I9
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X05/07/20191AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP32H
Back Lane, GlapwellSK46T01/07/20191adultCULPIN, Mr J.Danes_2019-20211510
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X30/06/20192AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP0HE
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X30/06/20192adultHILL, Mr B.J.N.Danes_2019-20211511
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X23/06/20191AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP30O
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X23/06/20191adultHILL, Mr B.J.N.Danes_2019-20211562
Briar Close, Newhall, SwadlincoteSK22V05/06/20191adultPEACH, Mr K.Danes_2019-20211590
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X14/06/20182AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621305
Pleasley Pit CP, PleasleySK46X10/06/20171AdultB.J.N. Hillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQJT6
Long Eaton Gravel PitsSK53A13/06/20161adultThorpe, Stevevc57_irecords_extractiBRC33504565
Long EatonSK53A13/06/20161AdultP. Buxton;S. Brownevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPPSZ
Long Eaton - Marlborough RoadSK43X27/06/20141AdultBryce, Marionvc57_irecords_extractiBRC34621306
Marlborough Rd,Long EatonSK43X27/06/20141AdultBryce, Marionvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WQ8AS
Marlborough Rd, Long EatonSK43X24/08/20131LarvaeBryce, Marionvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPSK1
Norton Park Crescent, Norton, SheffieldSK38K14/09/20111PupaeVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJTM9
Poolsbrook, Staveley (site not precise)SK47G08/06/20001AdultS. Hookevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPGYN
Sandcliffe Rd, Midway, SwadlincoteSK32A01/01/19741Larvae[VC57 Recorder]vc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001TAGC3
Poolsbrook, Staveley (site not precise)SK47G08/06/19001AdultS. Hookevc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OHD29
Mickleover, Derby (site not precise)SK33C01/01/18901AdultR.C. Bindleyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPZ9O
Stapenhill, Burton on TrentSK22K01/01/18851Larvae[VC57 Recorder]vc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001TAG9M
Findern, Derby (site not precise)SK33A01/01/18851Adult[VC57 Recorder]vc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001TAGFI
Stapenhill, Burton on TrentSK22K01/01/18851LarvaeC.F. Thornewillvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WP37K
Findern, Derby (site not precise)SK33A01/01/18851AdultG.A. Smallwoodvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPQ3U
Repton (site not precise)SK32B01/01/18781AdultF.M. Spilsburyvc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPZ81
Burton on Trent area (site not precise)SK22K01/01/18631Adult[VC57 Recorder]vc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001TAG9N
Derby (site not precise)SK33L01/01/18291AdultS. Glovervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001WPU2G
Repton (site not precise)SK32B01/01/18001AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OJYHY
Mickleover, Derby (site not precise)SK33C01/01/18001AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OKCN4
Derby (site not precise)SK33L01/01/18001AdultVC57 Derbyshire Recordervc57_danes_bc_dataLC000334001OLFF5

Death's-head Hawk-moth       Pine Hawk-moth

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