Prev Flights Rec Search
Eyed Hawk-moth
Smerinthus ocellata (Linnaeus, 1758)
Sphingidae: Smerinthinae
1980 / 69.002
Photo © Sue Pennell

View all 41 photos >

Tetrad Map
Google Map

Similar Species
Poplar Hawk-moth
Laothoe populi
Forewing: 36-44mm.
Flight: One generation May-July.
Foodplant:   Willows and sallows. Apple, Crab Apple.
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 1
Status
A spectacular hawk-moth, with large pink, blue and black eye patches on its rear wings. These eye spots can only be seen when the moth is disturbed.

The caterpillars grow up to 7.5cm long and have a blue 'horn' at one end which distinguishes them from the otherwise similar larva of the poplar hawk-moth.
Both the larvae of Eyed Hawk-moth & Lime hawk-moth have a blue tail, but warts on the anal flap of Lime hawk-moth are characteristic.

Recorded in 67 (91%) of 74 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1834.
Last Recorded in 2025.
Additional Stats

Latest 10 Records
Date#VC10kArea
07/05/2025128TF92Great Ryburgh
01/05/2025127TG42Eccles
01/05/2025128TF92Great Ryburgh
01/05/2025228TF63Hunstanton
01/05/2025128TF63Snettisham
01/05/2025128TF63Snettisham / Ingoldisthorpe
30/04/2025128TF62King's Lynn
30/04/2025127TG13Aldborough / Hanworth
29/04/2025127TG42Eccles
29/04/2025128TF63Dersingham
Further info: Smerinthus ocellata
 
UK Moths
British Lepidoptera
NBN Atlas
Moth Dissection UK
Svenska fjarilar
Lepiforum.de
Bedfordshire Moths
Cambs Moths
Devon Moths
Dorset Moths
Essex Field Club
Hants Moths
Herts & Middx Moths
Huntingdon HMBG
Kent Moths
Norfolk Moths
Somerset Moths
Suffolk Moths
Upper Thames Moths
West Midlands Moths
Yorkshire Moths
Norfolk Moths (Full)
Back Record Home
iMoths V14.3 HD © Lepidoptera UK 2025
This web app requires necessary cookies to function correctly. We'd also like to set Google analytics cookies that help us make improvements by measuring how you use the site. These will be set only if you accept all cookies. Necessary cookies enable core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility. You may disable these by changing your browser settings, but this will affect how the website functions. Cookies Policy