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Poplar Hawk-Moth

The Poplar Hawk-Moth Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Wingspan 65-90 mm.

 

Probably the commonest of our hawk-moths, it has a strange attitude when at rest, with the hindwings held forward of the forewings, and the abdomen curved upwards at the rear. If disturbed it can flash the hindwings, which have a contrasting rufous patch, normally hidden.

 

Distributed commonly throughout most of Britain, the adults are on the wing from May to July, when it is a frequent visitor to light.

 

The larvae feed on poplar (Poplar), aspen (P. tremula) and sallow (Salix).

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Uploaded on June 24, 2010
Taken on June 24, 2010