Willowherb Hawkmoth
Common NameWillowherb Hawkmoth
Scientific NameProserpinus proserpina
FamilySphingidae
SubfamilyMacroglossinae
Wingspan (mm)50
Primary Colorsgreen, orange, grey
HabitatWarm, open habitats such as dry grasslands, steppe, clearings, and forest edges.
Geographic RangeSouthern and Central Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
Host PlantsEpilobium, Oenothera
Flight PeriodMay to July (sometimes a partial second brood in August)
Conservation Statusnear-threatened
Lifecycle NotesEggs are laid singly on host plants. Larvae are typically green or brown with a small horn at the rear, feeding on willowherbs and evening primroses before pupating in a cocoon underground.
Identification TipsDistinguished by its olive-green forewings with a dark central spot and pale band, contrasting with bright orange-red hindwings. The green body with a grey dorsal stripe is also a key feature.
Description
A medium-sized hawkmoth with olive-green forewings featuring a dark central spot and a pale, wavy band. The hindwings are a striking orange-red with a dark border, and the body is green with a grey dorsal stripe.
