69.011 BF1985

Oleander Hawk-moth Daphnis nerii

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 90-130 mm.

A beautiful but rare vagrant species in Britain, which does not occur in every year, but can turn up almost anywhere. However, it is normally coastal, and usually in the south.

The most likely period to encounter it is from August to October.

The larva has not been recorded in Britain, but on the continent it feeds on periwinkle (Vinca spp.) as well as oleander (Nerium oleander).