For Anyone Interested in the Wildlife of the U.K.
Lime Hawk-moths
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Scientific name: Mimas tiliae
Size: Wingspan up to 80mm
Distribution: Found in England (mostly in the south) and Wales. Absent from Scotland and Ireland
Months seen: May and June
Life span: Adult moths can live for up to 5 weeks
Habitat: As the name suggests they are normally found close to lime trees. Frequently found in gardens
Food: Does not feed as an adult moth. The yellow-green coloured caterpillars feed at night on lime tree leaves
Special features: Adult Lime Hawk-moths vary in colour from light pink to red-brown with a darker patch in the centre of each forewing. This varies in size and colour from to olive-green to brown. The wings of Lime Hawk-moths have a distinctive, ragged cutout on the tail edge which help them to stay hidden amongst foliage.
The larvae of Lime Hawk-moths are also variable in colour. When they first hatch they are green with oblique yellow stripes along each side, a red-brown horn at the tail end. As they mature they become a pinkish-grey or a bluish-grey with a bright blue horn. Just before pupation they turn a purple colour. Larvae can be found from June to September.
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