Proserpinus proserpina (Pallas, 1772) Species
Last modified: May 18, 2026, 6:48 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.
This species is considered Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
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 can be seen onwards from mid-April to mid-September.
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!
