Garden Robin

Garden Robin

Sunday, 5 July 2015

Lime Hawk-moth



Sorry for lack of posts recently but we've been away for a week to the Isle of Wight.



The highlight from a moth trapping session just before we left was this Lime Hawk-moth (Mimas tiliae)



I usually trap this species a couple of times a year. Its a fairly common species especially in suburban areas where newly emerged adults can often be seen on the trunks of Lime trees.

The larva feeds on Lime, English Elm, Birch and Alder.





Leaf Cutter bees have started to use the new bee house and some are also using the one we have had for years. Will try and get some photos next week.
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10 comments:

  1. Grosmontine5 July 2015 at 07:37

    A beautiful moth and one I have only recorded once. Good news about the bees :-)

    Hope you had a great holiday :-)

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    1. Ragged Robin5 July 2015 at 09:39

      Thanks so much David - its always lovely to spot a Hawk-moth in the trap :) Its great watching the bees going in and out with little pieces of leaf :)

      Had a lovely holiday thanks (although a bit hot at times!!). Will do some posts on it on RRNN - just don't seem to have had a minute since getting back!

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  2. Ian Doyle5 July 2015 at 09:36

    Super shot. It looks like it's wearing army camouflage.

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    1. Ragged Robin5 July 2015 at 15:52

      Thanks Ian - yes you are so right (it could almost be a camouflaged fighter plane!! )

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  3. Amanda Peters5 July 2015 at 10:25

    Stunning moth RR, we were freaking out a little with all the moths coming to the trap, a new experience for both of us. If a Hawk moth had come in, it might of tipped us over the edge :)) we do get Hawk moths so hopefully in the next few weeks we might get one.
    Amanda xx

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    1. Ragged Robin5 July 2015 at 15:56

      Thanks so much Amanda :) I bought my trap in August from memory and I put it up the garden one very hot and humid night and went up to check it and it was just buzzing with moths which soon covered me too! I think I mentioned on your blog it freaked me out a bit too but you do get used to it and in my case anyway it mainly happens when its very hot and humid! You wait until you start trapping dozens of the dreaded Large Yellow Underwings :)

      Do hope you get a Lime Hawk-moth or indeed any Hawk. So excited for you Amanda you will have such fun. Its very time consuming at first identifying all the moths but the more you learn the quicker it becomes! Above all - enjoy :)

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  4. Millymollymandy7 July 2015 at 04:57

    I'm so envious but happy for you. They have quite amazing camouflage wings so would probably be really hard to spot without a moth trap. I'm going to wait until next year to get one.... can't wait. :-)

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  5. Ragged Robin7 July 2015 at 06:31

    Millymollymandy - Thanks so much :) You are right I can imagine they would be very hard to spot. So glad you've decided to go ahead and buy a moth trap - its something exciting to look forward to next year :)

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  6. Stewart14 July 2015 at 11:26

    Lovely Caroline, I would really like one of those but they dont occur this far north. They are beginning to appear 30 miles south of us, so you never know...

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  7. Ragged Robin14 July 2015 at 13:38

    Thanks Stewart. They are beautiful moths so hope very much they soon travel that extra 30 miles North and you get one :)

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