Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi

Pair of Poplar Hawk-moths. Large moths with a wingspan of 65-92mm but, like most moths, harmless.

UK flight time May-Aug.

The photos of the Poplar Hawk-moth below were taken by Terry Hobbs:

Showing the moth's normal resting position with its lower body curved upwards.

The docile moth on his finger . . .

and on a basket of petunias.

Poplar Hawk-moth Caterpillar:

The Poplar Hawk-moth Caterpillar eats poplar, willow, apple and some other leaves. Like several hawk-moth caterpillars, it has a spike at the tail end.