PRIVET HAWKMOTH |
SPHINX LIGUSTRI |
|
| Fig 1 |
ADULT: Wingspan 90-120mm. Female is usually
larger than male. Dark brown forewing shaded with greyish-brown
and streaked with black lines. A pale margin is normally
present. The hindwings are a washed out pink with black cross
bands. The thorax appears stickily black and has white borders to
the outersides. The abdomen is rich pink with black cross-bands
broken by a longitudinal grey strip. The antennae are white. CHRYSALIS: Located in winter. LARVA: Sphinx like. July to August on privets, holly and lilac. BEHAVIOUR: Attracted to light. HABITAT: Woodland, hedgerows, downland, coastal
scrub. FLIGHT PERIOD: Single brooded. June to July. STATUS: Resident. Common. Mainly
southern becoming more local northwards. |