For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Privet Hawk-moths
Identify It > Moth Section > Privet Hawk-moths >
Scientific name: Sphinx ligustri
Size: Wingspan up to 120mm
Distribution: Mostly found in the southern half of the UK.
Months seen: June and July
Life span: Adult moths can live for up to 5 weeks
Habitat: Woodlands and gardens
Food: The larvae feed on privet (hence the name), lilac and ash
Special features: Privet hawkmoths are the largest resident moths found in the UK. Despite their large size they are well camouflaged and can be easily missed. The hind wings and abdomen feature attractive pink and black stripes. The forewings are pale brown with black lines running through them. The thorax is slate grey or black.
The caterpillars, which grow to 85mm, are bright green with oblique purple and white stripes down their sides. The dorsal area frequently develops a purple blush when the caterpillar is fully grown, but not always. The face is pale green with a black and white border, and there is a black horn on the back end. A simple way to find the caterpillars is to look for the 6mm long grenade-shaped droppings which fall below the shrubs and trees they feed on.
When the caterpillars are ready to pupate they move down the foodplant and bury themselves in leaf litter. The privet hawk-moth chrysalis is dark brown and has a sharp point at the end of the abdomen and a small loop at the head end. They overwinter in this stage and emerge the following summer.
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