Just startled one as the security lights went on. The thing must have had a 5" wing span. It was the size of a sparrow! Didn't know we had any moths that got that big - had to look it up. Thats one impressive moth (sorry no piccs)
Privet Hawk Moth
- Thread starter British Red
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Saw it all too briefly, went out to the workshop and it was fluttering on top of a tank under a security light. Had a look, went for the camera and my wife and it had gone before I got back. Monstrously large thing!
Did you happen to have the time to notice if the antennae were feather-like (male) or thread-like (female?).
Several here (Cecropia, Polyphemus, Luna, 4 kinds of hawk/hummingbird moths = Saturnidae) but close encounters are few and far between.
Several here (Cecropia, Polyphemus, Luna, 4 kinds of hawk/hummingbird moths = Saturnidae) but close encounters are few and far between.
Bloody hell, just googled it meself....i thought the elephant hawk was the biggest moth in this country, you'd be forgiven for thinking it had escaped from a zoo or something
You have to spend some quiet time, outdoors in the middle of the night. Take something to block the direct glare of a street light.
Many warm early summer nights, the Saturnids flutter just beyond the best light. Did you see one? Maybe yes? Maybe no?
Some business properties here have very bright lights to illumnate their properties.
Look around those lights in the early morning times.
I collected those moths for a research project. Easy as picking pea pods.
Many warm early summer nights, the Saturnids flutter just beyond the best light. Did you see one? Maybe yes? Maybe no?
Some business properties here have very bright lights to illumnate their properties.
Look around those lights in the early morning times.
I collected those moths for a research project. Easy as picking pea pods.
xylaria
Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
On three occasions in my last house we got them in the bedrooms. First time the boy woke up screaming and second time I ran out of bed downstairs. Both times the old man says a moth cant be that bad refused to deal them. The third time he half wakes up yelling "helicopter coming in close".
Hugh, check your potato plants for the larva of Death's head Hawkmoth, a huge yellow caterpillar. Also keep an eye out for the adults, as they raid bee nests for honey.
The moth is an immigrant though, so only present some years, but now is the right time of year for it.
The moth is an immigrant though, so only present some years, but now is the right time of year for it.
Will do mate. May take a while to check my neighbours spuds though. 200 acres of em right by the gate!
We used to see a lot of those in Derbyshire when I was a kid. That was over fifty years ago, and now I can't remember the last time I saw one. We're destroying this planet.
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