69.003 BF1981

Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi

(Linnaeus, 1758)

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Wingspan 65-90 mm.

Probably the commonest of our hawk-moths, it has a strange attitude when at rest, with the hindwings held forward of the forewings, and the abdomen curved upwards at the rear. If disturbed it can flash the hindwings, which have a contrasting rufous patch, normally hidden.

Distributed commonly throughout most of Britain, the adults are on the wing from May to July, when it is a frequent visitor to light.

The larvae feed on poplar (Populus), aspen (P. tremula) and sallow (Salix).