This beauty is a privet hawk moth and is the most spectacular catch of the moth trap this summer. She was peacefully happy to be photographed in the morning, showing off her spectacular underwings before folding them tidily away and resting for a while in the shade of the table leg.
She seemed oddly familiar even though I know I have never seen this wonderful creature before. It wasn’t until I was sending my records in to our local wildlife site
( faune-alsace) that I realised the privet hawk moth is the cover illustration on my Chris Manley Guide to British Moths.
She was even bigger and better in real life!
Cathy's real country garden 
What a beauty. I’ve always wanted to see one!
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Luck of the night sky!
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Stunningly lovely I have never seen one so thx for sharing
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She is stunning!
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I think there’s a tendency to think of moths as being drab, at least compared to butterflies, but this one is a beauty..
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There are plenty of grey and brown jobs, but also many really beautifully patterned moths too!
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Wow, I’ve never seen one before
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Do you have a moth trap? I think you would enjoy one!
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Unfortunately i don’t have a moth trap. I’ve been out a couple of times with people who have. There are some amazing moths out there.
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Something to put on a Christmas list perhaps!
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Definitely
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Lucky you, what a wonderful looking moth, it’s one I’ve never seen. xx
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It took me by surprize!
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