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Kent Moth Group

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Privet Hawk-moth

Sphinx ligustri

Family: Sphingidae

RES: 69.006 B&F: 1976

Verification Grade (Adult):

Common and widespread throughout Kent, this large and conspicuous moth flies between May and August. It is the largest resident moth in the UK and is highly distinctive with only Convolvulus Hawk-moth and Pine Hawk-moth bearing any similarities (although an American species caught in Somerset in 1965, the Wild Cherry Sphinx, is very similar indeed, it is highly unlikely to occur in the UK).

Privet Hawk-moth is a mostly brown and pale moth with a dark/black head and thorax with pink-striped hindwings and abdomen.

Quick Navigation:

Distribution in Kent

The map below shows the distribution of records of Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) within Kent. Use the control below to show data for a certain time period. If you've got a dot to add, please submit your records to us. Click here for more information on how to submit data.

Filter by Time Period:AllPre-19501950 - 20002000 - 2022

Phenology

The graph below shows at which time of the year Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) can be expected to be recorded in Kent. Hover over the graph to see exact figures for each period of the year, and use the controls below to filter by VC and time span:

Filter by VC:AllVC15VC16

Filter by Time Period:AllPre-20002000 - 2022

Photo Gallery

Below is a gallery of Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) images from Kent. If you would like to contribute any photographs, please email mothsinkent@gmail.com.

Reporting Rate

The graph below shows how the number of records submitted Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) to the Kent database has varied since 1950. Hover over the graph to see exact figures for each year, and use the control below to filter by a certain VC.

Filter by VC:AllVC15VC16

External Links

More information about Privet Hawk-moth (Sphinx ligustri) can be seen on the external pages listed below: