Privet hawk moth.

[Mattjb]

Found this stunner on the outside of the chicken and duck pen tonight.I’ve never seen one before, apparently it’s the uks largest hawk moth.We moved it somewhere where it was less likely to become chicken feed!

[spincityfan]

What a creature!!

[davelumb]

Huge!

[Mattjb]

Huge!

Forgot to say, hand of a 9 year old! Still a massive moth though even allowing for that

[davelumb]

Huge!

Forgot to say, hand of a 9 year old! Still a massive moth though even allowing for that

Just quite big then.

[Will Smith]

Tis a thing of great beauty Matt.
Would love to find one in my garden.

Will.

[Lukemilnes]

Wow! very cool find. I like the scull on the back of the head

[lakefisher]

I am not at all familiar with the Privet Hawk Moth - so did me a "google" - was amazed to find a figure of 4.7 inches given for the wingspan

Always difficult to get a true impression of the true size from a photo - But to anyone - 4.7" - for a Moth - is BIG

[Mattjb]

I am not at all familiar with the Privet Hawk Moth - so did me a "google" - was amazed to find a figure of 4.7 inches given for the wingspan

Always difficult to get a true impression of the true size from a photo - But to anyone - 4.7" - for a Moth - is BIG

I’d never seen one before, was quite a shock to see the size of it.My young un was mesmerised by it.I’ve got a video of it sat on her hand pulsing it’s wings.
Reading up on it one of the things they like to feed on is the nectar from honeysuckle flowers and there are some next to our chicken and duck pen which explains why it was there. Just glad it landed on the outside of the pen not the inside, it didn’t end well for the slow worm that ventured inside unfortunately.

[Smoothound]

That is so cool. Seen an Elephant Hawk Moth but not one of those!