Lime Hawk-moth
Mimas tiliae
This record describes Mimas tiliae (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wingspan 55-70 mm. It has a distinctive scalloped-edged forewing, subtly coloured in pinkish and green. The central dark band is quite variable in size and extent. Occupying woodland and suburban habitats. It flies in May and June, and often comes to light. The larvae feed on Lime as well as a number of other deciduous trees including Birch, Alder and Elm. They are typically green with yellow stripes and a blue horn at the rear. When ready to pupate, they change colour to a dull greyish or purplish brown and begin to wander, looking for a pupation site. This is when they are most often encountered. A reasonably common species in the southern half of Britain, it was most frequent in the London area, where there are still extensive tree-lined avenues. In recent years its distribution has spread northwards and is now regularly found well into north Yorkshire and beyond. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Mimas tiliae: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mimas tiliae.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Smerinthinae
- Tribe
- Mimatini
- Genus
- Mimas
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Occupying woodland and suburban habitats.
Seasonal Activity
It flies in May and June, and often comes to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed on Lime as well as a number of other deciduous trees including Birch, Alder and Elm. They are typically green with yellow stripes and a blue horn at the rear. When ready to pupate, they change colour to a dull greyish or purplish brown and begin to wander, looking for a pupation site. This is when they are most often encountered.
Additional species information
Recorded status
A reasonably common species in the southern half of Britain, it was most frequent in the London area, where there are still extensive tree-lined avenues. In recent years its distribution has spread northwards and is now regularly found well into north Yorkshire and beyond. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Mimas tiliae. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Lime Hawk-moth (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Lime Hawk-moth
What is Lime Hawk-moth?
Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
How big is Lime Hawk-moth?
and extent.
Where is Lime Hawk-moth found?
Habitat: Occupying woodland and suburban habitats.
When is Lime Hawk-moth active?
Lime Hawk-moth: seasonal activity - It flies in May and June, and often comes to light..
What is the life cycle of a Lime Hawk-moth?
The larvae feed on Lime as well as a number of other deciduous trees including Birch, Alder and Elm. They are typically green with yellow stripes and a blue horn at the rear. When ready to pupate, they change colour to a dull greyish or purplish brown and begin to wander, looking for a pupation site. This is when they are most often encountered.