Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri
Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri
Adult • Brandon, Suffolk • © Dave Goodwin

69.007 BF1978

Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri

Linnaeus, 1758


Wingspan 65-80 mm.

A fairly nondescript greyish member of the hawk-moths, this species is restricted in Britain to the south and east, but it is quite common in continental Europe.

It inhabits coniferous woodland, where it flies in a single generation during May and June.

The larva, which is rather more colourful than the moth, feeds on the needles of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris).
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