Sphinx ligustri, known as the Privet Hawk Moth, is a species of moth found in Europe, North America, and eastern and northern Australia.

It has a 12 centimetres (4.7 in) wingspan, and is found in urban areas, forests and woodlands.

The male Privet Hawk-moth can make a hissing sound, if disturbed, by rubbing together a set of scales and spines at the end of its abdomen.

Diet

As its name describes, the caterpillars feed on privets, as well as ash trees, lilacs, jasmine, and a number of other plants.

References

• Pittaway, Tony, Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic, http://tpittaway.tripod.com/sphinx/s_lig.htm, retrieved 2009-08-02 
• http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=401 - The entry for this species on UKMoths
• http://australianmuseum.net.au/Privet-Hawk-Moth - The entry for this species on Australian Museum

Caterpillar

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