Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth

Hemaris tityus
Family

Sphingidae

Species Codes

B&F 1982 RES 69.008

Quick Links

DistributionPhenologyReporting RatePhotos

Species Account

This moth may no longer be present in Kent, having suffered a significant decline in recent years. Preferring unimproved grassland, bogs and heaths it has all but disappeared from the South East of England.

It is clearly an easy moth to confuse with Broad-bordered Bee Hawk-moth when seen flying in the daytime but does not alight on flowers to feed (like the Bees they mimic). If netted or seen static the differences are obvious, but the key is to think that if it has thin lines (veins) and less of them then it is Narrow-bordered, and if it has more lines which are thicker then Broad-bordered. There are also differences in the abdomen if seen well. Beware that these two species could potentially be confused with Hummingbird Hawk-moth too, but should be fairly simple if seen well.

Habitat

Unimproved grassland, bogs and heaths

Record Verification

Grade 2 adults can be confused with other species, so good quality photographs or possibly a specimen will be required if the recorder is not familiar with the species.

Distribution Map

The map below shows all records of Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris tityus) in the Kent database. If you've got a dot to add, please submit your records to us. Use the control below to filter by time span:

Phenology

The graph below shows at which time of the year Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris tityus) can be expected to be recorded in Kent. Use the controls below to filter by VC and time span:

Reporting Rate

The graph below shows how the number of records of Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris tityus) submitted each year has changed over time. Use the control below to filter by VC:

Photo Gallery

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External Links

For more information and images of Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth (Hemaris tityus), please take can be seen on the external pages listed below: