Big, bold and full of character. An encounter with a hawk-moth is always special, and this species is the one most likely to make your acquaintance.
Common name: poplar hawk-moth
Scientific name: Laothoe populi
Family: Sphingidae (hawk-moths)
Habitat: woodland, gardens, heaths, fens
Caterpillar foodplants: poplars, willows and sallows, aspen
Predators: birds, bats and small mammals
Origin: native
Adults: large, striking and unmistakeable. Wings are scalloped and leaf-like at the edges with areas of grey and brown, small, pale eyespots and occasionally a purple tinge. Lighter, buff-brown individuals are also possible. The hindwings sit further forward than the forewings, and when resting their abdomens curl upwards.
Wingspan: 6.5-9cm
Caterpillars: thick, chunky and vibrant green with faint yellow lines diagonally across the body. Look for the characteristic hawk-moth spike at the tail end. Some also have small, dark spots.
Female poplar hawk-moths are attracted to light during the first part of the night, and males during the early morning hours.
Adults: these moths do not feed during their short lives as adults. Instead they rely on fat reserves put down as caterpillars.
Caterpillars: the leaves of poplars, sallows, willows and aspen.
Credit: Andrew Newman Nature Pictures / Alamy Stock Photo
Adults are on the wing and looking for mates between May and August. Females release pheromones which attract passing males and lay their eggs beneath leaves. Caterpillars hatch and feed between June and early October. They eventually descend to the ground to pupate and overwinter beneath the surface.
When disturbed, these moths flash reddish-brown patches normally hidden on their hindwings.
These moths are the most common of our hawk-moths and are widespread across the UK. They can be found wherever their caterpillar foodplants grow, as well as further afield once on the wing, and are regular visitors to gardens.
Credit: Krystyna Szulecka Photography
Poplar hawk-moths are nocturnal and hide away during the day. While they do not visit night-scented flowers like other moths, they are attracted to light. One of the best ways to see them is to set up a light trap, or attend a moth trapping event.
These moths are common and widespread, and their populations are not thought to be threatened.
In Birmingham, a local name for large moths is ‘bobowler’.
Amy Lewis • 21 Jun 2021
Hawk-moths are some of the largest and most recognisable moths in the UK. Learn to tell which is which with our visual guide to 10 of the most commonly encountered UK species.
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