Eyed Hawkmoth
Smerinthus ocellata
Attenborough, Nottinghamshire, England - June 2012
The distinctive "eyes" of Eyed Hawkmoth are only displayed when the moth is feeling threatened. When at rest, as in the photo below, they are not visible.
Attenborough, Nottinghamshire, England - June 2012
It is widespread and fairly common throughout most of England and Wales in lowland areas. Its larval foodplants are mainly willows and sallows, although it also occurs on Crab Apple trees.
Attenborough, Nottinghamshire, England - June 2012
It does not feed as an adult so is not attracted to flowers, but males are often attracted to light and can sometimes be caught in fairly large numbers in moth traps.
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