Silver-striped Hawk-moth

Rare Immigrant; most usually seen in Autumn. Two generations per year with those reaching the UK being second generation and occurring from August.

Female is slightly smaller than the male, with shorter antennae. Flies from dusk and comes to light quite early. Visits nectar flowers. Cannot overwinter, so the caterpillar (which resembles the Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar) is rarely seen in the UK.

Flight Season

Adults can be seen in the UK between May and October.

Size and Family

• Family: Hawk-moths (Sphingidae)
• Size: Large, 7-8cm wingspan

Particular Caterpillar Food Plants

Grape-vine, Virginia-creeper, Ladies Bedstraw (Galium) and Great Willowherb (Epilobium), fuchsias, bindweeds, Honeysuckle and mulleins.

Habitat

Open places, often in coastal regions.

Distribution

• Widespread and abundant in Africa, breeding along the north coast and subsequently colonising southern Europe.
• South coast of England; rarely more than ten reported in one year in the UK.