69.002 Smerinthus ocellata (Eyed Hawkmoth)
fw: 36-44mm, ws: 75-95mm; May-Jul, sometimes bivoltine in south Aug-Sep; willows / sallows (Salix spp), apples (Malus spp); common in lowland England and Wales
Smerinthus ocellata (Eyed Hawkmoth) §5 male
ID: The only British hawkmoth with eye-spots on the hindwing. Central black streak on thorax. Rests with hindwing costa in front of the forewing costa exposing the costal half of the hindwing and concealing the eye-spots. proboscis weak and short. Frenulum reduced, retinaculum absent. Foretibia with an apical spine. Laothoe populi (Poplar Hawkmoth) has a similar resting posture, but is readily distinguished in the resting position by its unicolorous thorax and a small white central forewing crescent.
Dissection
Male genitalia
Larva
§1 Foulness, Essex; 27/05/2007; female
§2 Foulness, Essex; 05/06/2009; male
§3 Foulness, Essex; 13/06/2009; male
§4 Foulness, Essex; 24/06/2010; female
§5 Foulness, Essex; 21/07/2013; male
§6 St Lawrence, Isle of Wight; 31/05/2014; male
§7 ?; xx/xx/2018; male; fw 40mm
All images © Chris Lewis
§2 Foulness, Essex; 05/06/2009; male
§3 Foulness, Essex; 13/06/2009; male
§4 Foulness, Essex; 24/06/2010; female
§5 Foulness, Essex; 21/07/2013; male
§6 St Lawrence, Isle of Wight; 31/05/2014; male
§7 ?; xx/xx/2018; male; fw 40mm
All images © Chris Lewis
Page published 09/11/2014 (§1-6) | §7 added 11/07/2019
