# Pine Hawkmoth (*Sphinx pinastri*) The Pine Hawkmoth is a big, fluffy moth that loves to fly around pine trees at night. Its wings are brown with beautiful patterns, making it look like a tiny piece of art in the sky! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Pine Hawkmoth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Sphinx_pinastri_01.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tlusťa, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sphinx_pinastri_01.jpg) ## Appearance The Pine Hawkmoth has a sleek, torpedo-shaped body and narrow, pointed wings. Its forewings are mottled grey and brown with distinct black streaks, perfectly mimicking pine bark, while the hindwings are plain greyish-brown. Its slender body helps it move quickly through the air. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Sphinx ## Interesting facts - Adult Pine Hawkmoths can fly backwards for a short distance! - Its scientific name, Sphinx, comes from the caterpillar's unique upright pose. - Some Pine Hawkmoths migrate long distances to warmer places in autumn. - They are nocturnal, meaning they are most active when the sun goes down. ## Special abilities - **Super Sonic Flight:** Pine Hawkmoths can fly incredibly fast and hover like a hummingbird, helping them escape predators and find nectar. - **Nectar Sucker:** The Pine Hawkmoth has a long, coiled proboscis (tongue) that can reach deep into flowers to sip sweet nectar. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 70-90 mm - **Size:** 60-80 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-20 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Caterpillars munch pine needles; adults sip nectar from flowers. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat pine needles, while adults drink nectar from flowers. - **Primary Foods:** pine needles, nectar, honeysuckle, petunia - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Scots Pine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/scots-pine) (*Pinus sylvestris*) — Larvae feed on the needles of this tree. - **Depends on:** Black Pine (*Pinus nigra*) — Caterpillars also eat needles from Black Pine trees. - **Eaten by:** Brown Long-eared Bat (*Plecotus auritus*) — Bats are nocturnal predators that hunt flying moths. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds, like tits, prey on the caterpillars. - **Pollinates:** [Honeysuckle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honeysuckle) (*Lonicera periclymenum*) — Adult moths visit flowers to drink nectar and pollinate them. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Moths are usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Pine Hawkmoth? Compare resting wing shape, forewing markings, antennae and body build. Small brown moths can hinge on fine details a phone photo can't always catch. Moth Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Pine Hawkmoth's wingspan? 70-90 mm ### How big is Pine Hawkmoth? 60-80 mm ### How long does Pine Hawkmoth live? 10-20 days ### How fast can Pine Hawkmoth fly? 40 km/h ### What does Pine Hawkmoth eat? Caterpillars munch pine needles; adults sip nectar from flowers. ### Where is Pine Hawkmoth usually found? Forests ### How does Pine Hawkmoth hunt? Foraging ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Pine Hawkmoth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pine-hawkmoth)