# Willowherb Hawkmoth (*Proserpinus proserpina*) The Willowherb Hawkmoth is a special moth that loves to visit flowers at night. It has beautiful green and brown wings that help it blend in with plants during the day. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Willowherb Hawkmoth](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Proserpinus_proserpina_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_495_L'Argenti%C3%A8re-la-Bess%C3%A9e_Hautes-Alpes%252C_France_-_female.jpg&width=800) Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Proserpinus_proserpina_MHNT_CUT_2010_0_495_L'Argenti%C3%A8re-la-Bess%C3%A9e_Hautes-Alpes%252C_France_-_female.jpg) ## Appearance The Willowherb Hawkmoth has a stout, torpedo-shaped body and distinctive olive-green forewings with a prominent dark central band. Its hindwings are a striking pinkish-red, often visible during flight. The combination of green and pink makes it quite unique among moths. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Lepidoptera - **Family:** Sphingidae - **Genus:** Proserpinus ## Interesting facts - Its caterpillars are huge, green, and have cool fake 'eye spots' on their sides! - Some people mistake these moths for hummingbirds because of their fast, buzzing flight! - They undergo a complete transformation from a tiny egg to a flying adult moth. - This amazing moth helps flowers make seeds by carrying their pollen from blossom to blossom. ## Special abilities - **Hovering Acrobat:** Willowherb Hawkmoth can hover expertly in mid-air because of its powerful wings, allowing it to sip nectar from flowers without landing. - **Nectar Straw:** Willowherb Hawkmoth has a long, coiled proboscis that helps them reach deep inside flowers to drink sugary nectar. - **Daytime Disguise:** Willowherb Hawkmoth has cryptic coloring on its forewings that helps them blend perfectly with leaves and bark during the day. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 45-60 mm - **Size:** 20-30 mm - **Lifespan:** 14-28 days - **Flight Speed:** 40 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults sip flower nectar while caterpillars munch on plant leaves. - **Age differences:** Caterpillars eat leaves, while adult moths feed on flower nectar. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar (from Honeysuckle), Nectar (from Valerian), Willowherb leaves (caterpillars), Bedstraw leaves (caterpillars) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Depends on:** [Great Willowherb](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-willowherb) (*Epilobium hirsutum*) — Its caterpillars munch on leaves of this plant to grow big. - **Depends on:** Lady's Bedstraw (*Galium verum*) — Caterpillars also feed on this plant, especially where willowherb is scarce. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Young caterpillars can be a snack for hungry garden birds. - **Pollinates:** [Honeysuckle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/honeysuckle) (*Lonicera periclymenum*) — Adult moths visit its flowers at dusk, sipping nectar and spreading pollen. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [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. - [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, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Willowherb 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 Willowherb Hawkmoth's wingspan? 45-60 mm ### How big is Willowherb Hawkmoth? 20-30 mm ### How long does Willowherb Hawkmoth live? 14-28 days ### How fast can Willowherb Hawkmoth fly? 40 km/h ### What does Willowherb Hawkmoth eat? Adults sip flower nectar while caterpillars munch on plant leaves. ### Where is Willowherb Hawkmoth usually found? Grasslands ### How does Willowherb 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: [Willowherb Hawkmoth: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/willowherb-hawkmoth)