Sphinx ligustri, the privet hawk moth, is a moth found in most of the Palearctic realm. The species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae.

Description

It has a 12 centimetres (4.7 in) wingspan (generally deflexed at rest), and is found in urban areas, forests and woodlands.

The male privet hawk moth can make a hissing sound, if disturbed, by rubbing together a set of scales and spines at the end of its abdomen.

The larvae are usually found between July and August: and bury themselves in the earth when preparing to become a pupa. They then fly in the following June.

Diet

As both its common name and specific name - ligustri being derived from the Latin ligustrum, 'privet' - describes, the caterpillars feed on privets, as well as ash trees, lilacs, jasmine, and a number of other plants.

Gallery

  • Female, dorsal side
  • Female, ventral side
  • Male, dorsal side
  • Male, ventral side
  • Caterpillar
  • Pupating
  • Pupa
  • Pupa, caterpillar, and adult

External links

  • Media related to Sphinx ligustri at Wikimedia Commons
  • Data related to Sphinx ligustri at Wikispecies
  • . UKMoths. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  • Pittaway, A. R. (2018). . Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic.
  • . Lepiforum e.V. Retrieved December 13, 2018.