Pine Hawk-moth

Flies by night, feeding after dark on honeysuckle. Comes to light. Can be found by day at rest by day, often on tree trunks and fence posts.

The larvae of this moth are more colourful than the grey-brown adult. Larva late June-mid September; can be found on young and mature trees, but prefers old needles to young shoots. Overwinters as pupa in loose leaf litter or just below the surface of the ground.

Flight Season

Flies from May to early August in one generation.

Size and Family

• Family: Hawk-moths (Sphingidae)
• Size: Large, 6.5-8cm wingspan

Particular Caterpillar Food Plants

The needles of Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris), but occasionally Cedar of Lebanon, Maritime Pine and Norway Spruce. 

Distribution

• Countries: south and east Britain.
• Slowly spreading to the north, due to increase in conifer plantations.
• Common in continental Europe.

Habitat

Coniferous woodland or heathland, conifer plantations.