Sphingidae: Sphinginae

1976 (ABH69.006) Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri, Linnaeus, 1758

KR06832

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey. June 2007. Threatening display.
Hemingford Grey. June 2007. Threatening display.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey, em 6th June 2013
Hemingford Grey, em 6th June 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, em 6th June 2013
Hemingford Grey, em 6th June 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, em 6th June 2013
Hemingford Grey, em 6th June 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, em 2nd June 2013
Hemingford Grey, em 2nd June 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingofrd Grey, 6th June 2013
Hemingofrd Grey, 6th June 2013
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Cambridge City Centre
Cambridge City Centre
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
1 day old, 8mm, on Spiraea, Great Staughton
1 day old, 8mm, on Spiraea, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
1 day old, 8mm, on Spiraea, Great Staughton
1 day old, 8mm, on Spiraea, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
8 days old, 12mm, Great Staughton
8 days old, 12mm, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
8 days old, 12mm, Great Staughton
8 days old, 12mm, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
13 days old, 22mm, Great Staughton
13 days old, 22mm, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
13 days old, 22mm, Great Staughton
13 days old, 22mm, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Pre-pupa, Hemingford Grey, Sept 2012
Pre-pupa, Hemingford Grey, Sept 2012
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
3 days old, Great Staughton
3 days old, Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey, ex ova June 2012.
Hemingford Grey, ex ova June 2012.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, ex ova June 2012.
Hemingford Grey, ex ova June 2012.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, ex ova June 2012. Male at top, female at bottom.
Hemingford Grey, ex ova June 2012. Male at top, female at bottom.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

Pupates deep underground.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.
Often found at rest during day

Forewing length: 41-55mm.
Foodplant(s): Wild Privet (Ligustrum vulgare), Garden Privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Lilac (Syringa vulgaris), Guelder-rose (Viburnum opulus)
Flying: One generation, June-July
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Open woodland, hedgerows, fens and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 135 (50%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 12 May to 25 August

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 05 July to 06 November

Similar Species
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Pine Hawk-moth Sphinx pinastri (=Hyloicus)


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
With lumps, bumps or horn(s)
Colours:
Green, purple, white, black
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5