Kingdom Animalia Order Lepidoptera Genus Laothoe Higher classification Laothoe | Phylum Arthropoda Family Sphingidae Scientific name Laothoe amurensis Rank Species | |
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Similar Sphingidae, Laothoe, Butterflies and moths, Insect, Hyles vespertilio | ||
Laothoe amurensis (aspen hawk-moth) is a moth of the family Sphingidae. It is found in the northern part of the Palearctic ecozone. It flies in May and can be found only in far-Eastern Europe, including parts of Poland, Finland, Ukraine and Belarus. It exists also in Asia as few another subspecies. In spite of being very rare, it isn't protected, e.g. in Poland. There are known few places where obtaining this moth by attracting to light is possible.
The wingspan is 71–98 mm. Very similar to Laothoe populi, a common European moth found everywhere, but bigger and much more dark.
Eggs laid singly or in small groups of 2–4 pieces are laid on the underside of leaves.
The larvae feed singly on Populus tremula and willow. Green with 7 pale stripes, look like L. populi caterpillars, but, opposite to it, have got 2–3 little "horns" above its head; difficult to distinguish.
This moth spends winter as chrystalid in the soil.
Species
