Proserpinus proserpina (Pallas, 1772)
Willowherb Hawk-moth
69.0120 (B&F: 1984a)
»Suborder: Glossata
»Superfamily: Bombycoidea
»Family: Sphingidae
»Subfamily: Macroglossinae
»Tribe: Macroglossini
As of 2011 there are only two British records of this species, the first of which was in Sussex. On 26th May 1985 a belt of thunderstorms crossed the channel from the continent and made landfall in Sussex, where after the storm had passed S. Curson hung a 125w mv bulb out of his window in Denton, Newhaven. After an hour and a half a male arrived in the bedroom. On the continent the larvae feed on willowherb, purple loosestrife, and evening primrose. It is found locally in the warmer parts of France, but mainly south of central Germany and in to the Mediterranean. (Pratt, 2011)