Tony James' photos with the keyword: Sphinginae

Sphingidae, Sphinginae Final Length: 100mm. This fairly common moth is the largest indigenous species for the UK, and the caterpillar can usually reach 100mm before pupation. The caterpillar is quite a colourful insect, which has composite side stripes consisting of white, purple and black colours.

Sphingidae Sphinginae Wingspan: 110mm. This large prolifically migrant moth usually comes into the UK in the Autumn months, and is often recorded along the coastal regions of Cornwall from September and October. On good years, earlier female moths may well lay eggs on the wild Convolvulus creeper, resulting in reports of caterpillars being found a few months afterwards. However, it appears that the pupal stage is unlikely to survive our cold winters on their own.