Poplar Hawk-moth Laothoe populi

Poplar Hawk-moth paired
Pair of Poplar Hawk-moths. Large moths with a wingspan of 65-92mm but, like most moths, harmless.
Poplar Hawk-moth
Poplar Hawk-moth
Poplar Hawk-moth
UK flight time May-Aug.

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

Poplar Hawk-moth side
Poplar Hawk-moth
Showing the moth's normal resting position with its lower body curved upwards.
Poplar Hawk-moth
The docile moth on his finger . . .
Poplar Hawk-moth
Poplar Hawk-moth on petunias
and on a basket of petunias.
Poplar Hawk-moth

Poplar Hawk-moth Caterpillar:

Poplar Hawk-moth caterpillar
Poplar Hawk-moth Caterpillar
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.