OTHER NAMES: N/A
Latin Etymology: Laothoe (a figure from Greek myth) populi (of poplar trees)
Adult Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi) at Geddington, Northants - July 2021
Featured Subspecies: ?
Weight: ? / Length: 6.5-8.5cm / Wingspan: 7-10cm
UK STATUS NOT EVALUATED/ IUCN Red List: Not Yet Evaluated
A distinctive species of hawkmoth with rather dramatic standard pose where at rest it holds its hind wings ahead of its forewings. This species primarily as a larva feeds upon poplar and aspen trees, but, as an adult it lacks any ability to feed at all and primarily exist only to breed, They are widely distributed and can be found across much of Western Eurasia. They come in a variety of colour morphs, with the pictured individual being on the darker end of that spectrum.
Related Species:
Order: Lepidoptera
Family: Sphingidae
Genus: Laothoe
SUBSPECIES: L. p. populi, L. p. populetorum, L. p. populeti
- Sighting Locations -
UNITED KINGDOM - Widely distributed
- Seen at Geddington
Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto
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