UKMoths Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata - Distribution map
Please note that the NBN Gateway map service has been terminated as of 1 April 2017.
As soon as a replacement map service is available, distribution maps will hopefully appear here again.
In the meantime, you can get some idea of distribution from the NBN Atlas website.
69.002 BF1980
Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Wingspan 70-80 mm.
Fairly well distributed throughout England and Wales, this species has a sombre, camouflaged appearance at rest, but if provoked, flashes the hindwings, which are decorated with intense blue and black 'eyes' on a pinkish background.
The adults fly from May to July, inhabiting woodland and suburban localities.
The green caterpillars resemble those of the Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi), but have a bluish-coloured spike at the rear. They feed on sallow (Salix), apple (Malus) and several other trees.
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