Sent when ready from September (2012). A beautiful sight when freshly emerged, the eyed hawk is one of our commonest but loveliest sphinigade. Fortunately, this species is also very easy to rear and in addition to sleeving it can be mass reared in ventilated cages or tubs kept in cool out-houses. The larvae feed on sallow, willow and apple. Pairing is virtually guaranteed when moths are put together and is easily observed as the adults stay coupled into the next day and take up the familiar Hawk Moth pairing position. Very attractive in all its stages and fun to breed and release the following year. Highly recommended for beginners and schools.
Larval foodplants: willow, sallow (salix), apple (malus).
Rearing: plastic boxes, cages and sleeves.
Photographs: egg x 20 magnification; newly hatched larvae x 20 magnification; 2nd instar larvae x 20 magnification; 5th instar larvae; adult female at rest.
