Privet Hawk Moth

Watercolour of a privet hawk moth and caterpillar from a bound sketch book of British Butterflies and Moths. The Privet hawk moth with its torpedo-shaped body and long narrow wings is the largest resident moth of the UK and is widespread throughout the British Isles. The caterpillar is even more striking than the adult moth with its lime green body and purple streaks complete with a black hook at the end of its tail. As its name suggests, the caterpillar feeds exclusively on privet.