UKMoths 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.
69.006 BF1976
Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri
Linnaeus, 1758
Wingspan 90-120 mm.
Our largest resident hawk-moth, which is distributed in the southern half of Britain, and has distinctive pink and black barring on the body.
The similarly-striped hindwings are often concealed.
It frequents woodland and suburban habitats, and flies in June and July, with a single generation.
The large caterpillar is even more spectacular than the moth, being bright green with lilac and white stripes along the side, and a curved black 'horn' at the rear. It feeds on privet (Ligustrum), lilac (Syringa) and ash (Fraxinus).
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