Sunday 23 August 2009

Enormous Moth

Poplar hawk-moth - Laothoe populiThis evening we saw a huge moth on the window. It is probably the biggest moth that I have ever seen in the UK with a wingspan of almost 3 inches (>7cms).

It was a Poplar Hawk-moth. It is easily identified because its hind-wings are held forward of the forewings, which can be seen in this photo. Also just visible is the red patch on its hindwing, which is usually hidden.

16 comments:

Jodie Robson said...

I'm very envious about this photo - in North Northumberland large moths (indeed, most moths nowadays) are in short supply.

Jenny said...

This is the first time I have seen a hawk moth in many years of wildlife watching, so I do wonder how many there are around these days. It would be interesting to get a moth trap to monitor them more accurately instead of just relying on them landing on the window.

russtrina said...

One of these just flew into my office at Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. Saw it out of the corner of my eye and thought it was a sparrow ! Magnificent creature. Took a few pics when it settled.

Anonymous said...

i was trimming the trees just behind my garden in Bridgend, South Wales, (UK) when one of these moths landed on my shoulder i nearly had a heart attack i thought it was a bird or a bat, are they rare or needed in wildlife centres as its living in my shed?

Anonymous said...

Just found one of these in our garden in The Clays Cornwall, didn't know what it was until i found this site, thanks, and it's huge!

Anonymous said...

i just found one in my spare room i thaught it was a bat!! its was very slow tho so i hope it wasnt on its way out... i touched it and it just started walking...

Phil Gosling said...

Found two of these in my garden waste bin today. We live in Marple, chesire. I gently moved them to a nearby bush. Took loads of photos, never seen anything them. Outstandingly beautiful.

Anonymous said...

i have caught 1 of these moths in my house and it has since lay about 50 eggs what should i do with it!!!

Jenny said...

Most moths are harmless (apart from clothes moths) so just put it outside. It is probably a good idea to remove the eggs too!

Unknown said...

My friend found one of these in a house in Leyton, London yesterday! He was terrified - I think they are lovely.

Unknown said...

i have one of these in my house atm it bloody scared me i thought it was a hornet

fiona said...

Just found one of these moths in my kitchen, the size of scared me too, it was huge, the biggest moth I'd seen previous was one of those pink and green ones, had to use a flower vase to trap this monster. Found in lowestoft.

Anonymous said...

We have just spotted a Hawk moth on our gates, it's impressively large and very well camouflaged. We thought it was a leaf.

Anonymous said...

I have just taken a foto or the hawk moth perched on the window sill, never seen the like before

Anonymous said...

just spotted a hawk moth, never seen the like, scarey, Glenavy NI

Ruth Storer said...

I saved a large Hawk Moth at the Resource centre in Coalville Leicestershire Today
He was a Beuty but he only had half an antenna on his left side but a full one on the right
I moved him to safety.
It's been a very long time since I saw such a beautiful Moth