Seq # 570370010

Proserpinus proserpina (Pallas, 1772) Species

Last modified: Sept. 7, 2023, 5:40 p.m.


A rare migrant which has established itself from early 2000 throughout Belgium.
Nowadays a fairly common species, especially in the northern part of the country.


Details

Classification
Family: Sphingidae > Subfamily: Macroglossinae > Tribus: Macroglossini > Genus: Proserpinus > Species: Proserpinus proserpina
Vernacular names
Teunisbloempijlstaart (NL), Willowherb Hawkmoth (EN), Le Sphinx de l'Epilobe, le Sphinx de l'Oenothère (FR), Nachtkerzenschwärmer (DE)
Synonyms
Proserpinus oenotherae (Denis & Schiffermüller, 1775)
First mention in Belgium
Dubois Ch.-F. & Dubois A. 1874. Les Lépidoptères de la Belgique, leurs chenilles et leurs chrysalides décrits et figurés d’après nature. Tome premier. — — 1: i–lxvi, 1–19, 122 colour plates with opposite text (not numbered).. On page 107 (as Pterogon oenotherae). view page
Status

Native


Distribution


Imago

Museum specimens


Specimens in nature


Caterpillar

The caterpillar occurs in two colour forms: a normal creamy-white one and a brownish one.


Bionomics

The species hibernates as a pupa among plant debris.

No pictures yet!

Flight periods

The adults fly from early May till the end of June. They come to light.


Observed on

Host plant (species):
Lythrum salicaria and Oenothera biennis
Host plant (genera):
Epilobium

The larva lives mainly on Oenothera biennis, but can also be found on different species of Epilobium.

No pictures yet!