Enormous moth for ID please

Badger Watching Man · #1 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 08:34 PM

Hi there - I wonder if anyone can help with an ID for a moth please?

The moth invaded the home of a friend of mine. He has just moved to a new house in Buckinghamshire and has never seen anything like this before. The two things that stood out were its size - about the same width as his hand, and its yellow antennae.

He took a picture with his phone, unfortunately not a great one. The yellow antennae do not show up very well.

I don't know much about moths, but the nearest I can find seems to be a female Oak Eggar.

Does this sound possible? Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks

BWM

Jenny W · #2 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 08:36 PM

It's a Poplar Hawk-moth, Laothoe populi.

nutmeg · #3 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 08:37 PM

It's a Poplar Hawkmoth - a lovely big beast

Badger Watching Man · #4 (**permalink**) 29-06-2009, 08:40 PM

Excellent - thank you both for your immediate replies! I shall pass on the news.

Just goes to show that my ability to ID moths from the internet is woefully inadequate... Thankfully I can rely on the experts!

Thanks again

BWM