Hawkmoths

Nikon D800, 200mm macro lens, ISO 100 @ f/16, fill-flash, tripod.

I have to admit that hawk-moths are my favourite family of moths. Their slick, aerodynamic structure make them superb flying machines and very capable of long, sustained fights over many hundreds of miles. More of Europe’s resident species are becoming more frequent visitors to Britain, probably as a result of global warming.

The Levant Hawk-moth is a fairly large, impressive species which occurs in areas where Vitaceae are grown.  In Europe it can be found on ornamental vines rather than in vineyards due to the widespread commercial use of pesticides.

Striped Hawk-moth

This is a scarce immigrant species, which occurs in small numbers in most years, mainly in the south of England. Most records are of adults which are attracted to light, but occasionally larva have also been found. The larva feed on low plants such as bedstraw (Galium) and dock (Rumex).

 

Nikon D800, 200mm macro lens, ISO 200 @ f/16, fill-flash, tripod.