Eyed Hawk-moth Smerinthus ocellata

Eyed Hawk-moth Moth
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth
The Eyed Hawk-moth is an impressive moth, in terms of size, colours and, most of all "pattern". It's wingspan is 70-90mm; UK flight time is May-Aug.
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth
Grateful to Darren Parsons for the above photos (second row) of the Eyed Hawk-moth, especially the one above right showing the startling effect of its "eyed" under-wings.
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth
A large moth, the Eyed Hawk-moth looks a little similar to the Poplar Hawk-moth (but with darker head) until it opens its wings to reveal the black-bordered blue "eye" rings on a pinky red background that give the moth its name (above right).
Photo above left taken by Terry Hobbs on the walls of Moorlands Junior School, Bath. Photo above right by Liz Barrett in London.
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth Normal resting position. Photo by Terry Hobbs
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth The "eyes" open. Photo by Darren Parsons
Eyed Hawk-moth Moth Male with comb-like antennae and anal claspers.
The hawk-moth will raise its wings to reveal the full eyespots when it feels threatened, looking a little like an owl with the wingtips as ears and the body as beak, to startle predators and escape. Despite its startling appearance it is, like all moths, completely harmless.