Poplar hawk moth

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What to look for:
The commonest of the hawk moths, its caterpillars feed on the leaves of particular trees, aspen, poplars and willows. They are night flying. The adults have a grey and brown banded camouflage pattern on their wings. They have a distinctive way of resting during the daytime, the smaller hind wings are fanned forward, under the triangular forewings. This breaks up the shape of the resting moth making it harder for predators to find them.

When to see it:
Adults are seen flying between May and July and are attracted to bright outside lights at night. During the early summer caterpillars can be seen on suitable food plants, such as aspen, poplar and willow. When nearing full growth they are finger-sized with a yellowy green colour and with a hook-like tail.

Where to see it:
Found in a range of habitats where its food plants exist from woodland and scrub to moorland and fen, but also in parks and gardens.

Things to think about:
This hawk moth is one of the biggest common moths to be seen flying at night in Scotland and has a wingspan of between 65 to 100mm.



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