Barbary Spurge Hawk-moth
Common NameBarbary Spurge Hawk-moth
Scientific NameHyles mauretanica
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilyMacroglossinae
Wingspan (mm)70
Wing Patternstriped
Primary Colorsbrown, tan, white, pink
HabitatDry, rocky areas, coastal dunes, maquis, garrigue, and open scrubland where host plants are abundant.
Geographic RangeNorth Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia), Malta, Sicily, and parts of southern Spain and Portugal.
Host PlantsEuphorbia characias, Euphorbia dendroides, Euphorbia pithyusa, other Euphorbia species
Flight PeriodMarch to October, typically multivoltine with multiple generations depending on location.
Flight Styledarting
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Lifecycle NotesLarvae are typically colorful, often black with yellow spots and a red head, feeding gregariously on spurge plants before pupating in the soil.
Identification TipsLook for the distinctive broad, pale dorsal stripe on the thorax and forewings, contrasting with darker brown areas. The pinkish hindwings are also a key feature, though often hidden at rest.
Description
A medium-sized hawk-moth characterized by its striking pattern of broad, contrasting brown and creamy-white longitudinal stripes across its forewings and thorax, with pinkish-red hindwings.
