Poplar Hawk-moth
Laothoe populi
This record describes Laothoe populi (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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. There is an uncommon buff-coloured form which is more frequent in females. Parkland, gardens, fens, woodland, heathland and moorland. The adults are on the wing from May to July, when it is a frequent visitor to light. The green larvae feed on Poplar, Aspen and Willow. The larva's spike is plae greeny-yellow, sometimes with a red tinge at the base. Distributed commonly throughout most of Britain. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
Wikipedia reference for Laothoe populi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laothoe populi.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Smerinthinae
- Tribe
- Smerinthini
- Genus
- Laothoe
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Parkland, gardens, fens, woodland, heathland and moorland.
Seasonal Activity
The adults are on the wing from May to July, when it is a frequent visitor to light.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The green larvae feed on Poplar, Aspen and Willow. The larva's spike is plae greeny-yellow, sometimes with a red tinge at the base.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Distributed commonly throughout most of Britain. 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 Laothoe populi. 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 Poplar Hawk-moth (9)
Frequently Asked Questions About Poplar Hawk-moth
What is Poplar Hawk-moth?
Poplar Hawk-moth (Laothoe populi) is a species in the family Sphingidae, within the order Lepidoptera.
Where is Poplar Hawk-moth found?
Habitat: Parkland, gardens, fens, woodland, heathland and moorland.
When is Poplar Hawk-moth active?
Poplar Hawk-moth: seasonal activity - The adults are on the wing from May to July, when it is a frequent visitor to light..
What is the life cycle of a Poplar Hawk-moth?
The green larvae feed on Poplar, Aspen and Willow. The larva's spike is plae greeny-yellow, sometimes with a red tinge at the base.