The ‘Oleander Hawk-Moth’, also known as the ‘Army Green Moth’ (Daphnis nerii), is a beautiful moth in the Sphingidae family. It was first recorded by the Swedish botanist, zoologist, and physician Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778). This photo of them mating was taken by me 16 years ago.
The moth is called the ‘Oleander Hawk-Moth’ because its caterpillar feeds on the leaves of oleandar plants. Adults feed on nectar of various flowers such as petunias, jasmine, and daisies, especially at dusk. It is known as ‘Army Green Moth’ because the color, which is a mixture of green and brown, resembles a military uniform.
Native to Africa and Asia, these moths migrate to Turkey and various parts of eastern and southern Europe in the summer, occasionally reaching western Europe, including England, and even as far away as Finland.
– Vincent Vanur
