Hawk Moths – Somerset Wildlife Photography

Hawk Moth Identification

Some of our biggest and most exciting moths, the hawk moths found in the UK are amazing insects. There are fewer UK insects that are so exciting and fascinating. They are always the ‘stars’ of the ‘Moth Identification’ events that I often hold in the summer months with children always fascinated by these amazing moths!

ACHERONTIA ATROPOS - DEATHS-HEAD HAWK MOTH

: NAME: Acherontia atropos – Deaths-head Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 12-13cm / FLIGHT TIME: Migrants late Summer – Early Autumn / HABITAT: Non-Native – Enters Beehives looking for honey / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Potato

: NAME: Acherontia atropos – Deaths-head Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 12-13cm / FLIGHT TIME: Migrants late Summer – Early Autumn / HABITAT: Non-Native – Enters Beehives looking for honey / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Potato

: NAME: Acherontia atropos – Deaths-head Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 12-13cm / FLIGHT TIME: Migrants late Summer – Early Autumn / HABITAT: Non-Native – Enters Beehives looking for honey / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Potato

: NAME: Acherontia atropos – Deaths-head Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 12-13cm / FLIGHT TIME: Migrants late Summer – Early Autumn / HABITAT: Non-Native – Enters Beehives looking for honey / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Potato

DEILEPHILA ELPENOR - ELEPHANT HAWK-MOTH

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

: NAME: Deilephila elpenor – Elephant Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 45-60mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Various- Hedgerows- Gardens- Woodland edges- Rough Grassland- Coastal / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Rosebay Willowherb

DEILEPHILA PORCELLUS - SMALL ELEPHANT HAWK-MOTH

: NAME: Deilephila porcellus – Small Elephant Hawk-Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-45mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Chalky areas- Grassy Locations / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Deilephila porcellus – Small Elephant Hawk-Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-45mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Chalky areas- Grassy Locations / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Deilephila porcellus – Small Elephant Hawk-Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-45mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Chalky areas- Grassy Locations / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Deilephila porcellus – Small Elephant Hawk-Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-45mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Chalky areas- Grassy Locations / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Deilephila porcellus – Small Elephant Hawk-Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-45mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July / HABITAT: Chalky areas- Grassy Locations / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

LAOTHOE POPULI - POPULAR HAWK MOTH

: NAME: Laothoe populi – Popular Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 30-46mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July & Aug-Sept / HABITAT: woodland, gardens, heaths, fens / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Poplars, Aspen, Sallows and Willows

: NAME: Laothoe populi – Popular Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 30-46mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July & Aug-Sept / HABITAT: woodland, gardens, heaths, fens / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Poplars, Aspen, Sallows and Willows

: NAME: Laothoe populi – Popular Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 30-46mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July & Aug-Sept / HABITAT: woodland, gardens, heaths, fens / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Poplars, Aspen, Sallows and Willows

: NAME: Laothoe populi – Popular Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 30-46mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July & Aug-Sept / HABITAT: woodland, gardens, heaths, fens / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Poplars, Aspen, Sallows and Willows

: NAME: Laothoe populi – Popular Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 30-46mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-July & Aug-Sept / HABITAT: woodland, gardens, heaths, fens / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Poplars, Aspen, Sallows and Willows

MACROGLOSSUM STELLATARUM - HUMMINGBIRD HAWK MOTH

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

: NAME: Macroglossum stellatarum – Hummingbird Hawk Moth / WINGSPAN: 40-50mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-Aug- Has been recorded in winter! / HABITAT: Migrant Species visiting Aubrietia, Buddleia, Viper’s Bugloss, Red Valerian & Honeysuckle / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Bedstraw

MIMAS TILIAE - LIME HAWK-MOTH

: NAME: Mimas tiliae – Lime Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 55-70mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-June / HABITAT: Woodland & Suburban areas where Lime grows / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Lime- Birch- Elder- Elm

: NAME: Mimas tiliae – Lime Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 55-70mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-June / HABITAT: Woodland & Suburban areas where Lime grows / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Lime- Birch- Elder- Elm

: NAME: Mimas tiliae – Lime Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 55-70mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-June / HABITAT: Woodland & Suburban areas where Lime grows / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Lime- Birch- Elder- Elm

: NAME: Mimas tiliae – Lime Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 55-70mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-June / HABITAT: Woodland & Suburban areas where Lime grows / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Lime- Birch- Elder- Elm

: NAME: Mimas tiliae – Lime Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 55-70mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-June / HABITAT: Woodland & Suburban areas where Lime grows / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Lime- Birch- Elder- Elm

: NAME: Mimas tiliae – Lime Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 55-70mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-June / HABITAT: Woodland & Suburban areas where Lime grows / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Lime- Birch- Elder- Elm

: NAME: Mimas tiliae – Lime Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 55-70mm / FLIGHT TIME: May-June / HABITAT: Woodland & Suburban areas where Lime grows / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Lime- Birch- Elder- Elm

SMERINTHUS OCELLATA - EYED HAWK-MOTH

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash

: NAME: Sphinx ligustri – Privet Hawk-moth / WINGSPAN: 90-120mm / FLIGHT TIME: June-July / HABITAT: Woodland – Gardens & Suburban areas / LARVAL FOODPLANT: Privet- Lilac- Ash