Massive moth - what is it?

spirit · #1 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 09:37 AM

I suspect you guys will all be laughing, but I did not realise things this size were making my garden unsafe!!!

Would anyone happen to know what it is? Is it meant to be sleeping on my decking? Is it native, or has some zoo lost it?

Adam Cheeseman · #2 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 10:19 AM

Hi, it's a Privet Hawkmoth. Lovely find and wish I had them visiting my garden. Native and perfectly harmless.

Cheers,

Adam

spirit · #3 (**permalink**) 10-06-2011, 11:57 AM

I am not convinced about the perfectly harmless, I almost had heart failure!

Seriously, I am rather pleased at having seen one, all the neighbours have been in to have a look and have never seen one despite having lived here all their lives.

k4t3 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-06-2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spirit

I am not convinced about the perfectly harmless, I almost had heart failure!

Seriously, I am rather pleased at having seen one, all the neighbours have been in to have a look and have never seen one despite having lived here all their lives.

You should see the caterpillar!

Would love to stumble across 1 of these in my garden but they don't seem to like my part of the country....unless I am being really blind!