TL2601 : Poplar Hawk Moth (Laothoe populi)
taken 8 years ago, near to Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, Great Britain

I have referred to this moth as "him" but not only may it be "her" it could even be "him and her" as apparently "Gynandromorphs" (half male, half female) are common in this species.
Photo of its caterpillar here SS9769 : Caterpillar of the Poplar Hawk moth - Laothoe populi (by Mick Lobb)
See shared description below.
The Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi) is a member of the Sphingidae family of hawkmoths that include a number of conspicuously large and/or strikingly marked moths.
This species, Laothoe populi, is quite large with a wingspan of between 7 and 10cm {3 to 4 inches} (at full extent) - and is remarkable for the way that it holds its wings with the underwings projecting forwards of the leading edge of the upper wings when at rest - resulting in the moth exhibiting an unusual shape. (see TL2601 : Poplar Hawk Moth (Laothoe populi))
In the imago (adult) stage, the moth does not feed as its proboscis is non-functioning; its sole purpose being to breed and lay eggs to perpetuate the species.
This species may be male, female or both male and female, a form known as a "Gynandromorph".
Change to interactive Map >
- Grid Square
- TL2601, 96 images (more nearby
)
- Photographer
- Rob Farrow (find more nearby)
- Date Taken
- Wednesday, 5 June, 2013 (more nearby)
- Submitted
- Friday, 7 June, 2013
- Geographical Context
- Subject Location
-
OSGB36:
TL 2608 0106 [10m precision]
WGS84: 51:41.6484N 0:10.6344W - Camera Location
-
OSGB36:
TL 2608 0106
- View Direction
- South-southwest (about 202 degrees)



