Sphinx ligustri Linnaeus, 1758 Species
Last modified: Oct. 2, 2025, 12:33 p.m.
A common species throughout Belgium.
This species is considered Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List category for Flanders 2023.
Details
- Classification
- Family: Sphingidae > Subfamily: Sphinginae > Tribus: Acherontiini > Genus: Sphinx > Species: Sphinx ligustri
- Vernacular names
- Ligusterpijlstaart (NL), Privet hawkmoth (EN), le Sphinx du troène (FR), Ligusterschwärmer (DE)
- First mention in Belgium
- De Sélys-Longchamps E. 1837. Catalogue des Lépidoptères ou Papillons de la Belgique, précédé du tableau des Libellulines de ce pays. — — : 1–29. On page 22 (as Sphinx Ligustri). view page
- Status
-
Native
Distribution
Imago
Wingspan up to 11 cm.
Museum specimens
Specimens in nature
Caterpillar
Up to 100 mm, body bright green with on the flanks seven oblique, white, with purple-lined stripes, on the eleventh segment a shiny black, sharply pointed horn, head yellowish green with two broad black stripes.
Bionomics
Hibernates as a pupa underground, sometimes twice. The adults are attracted to light.
Flight periods
The adults fly from late May till early September in one generation a year.
Observed on
- Host plant (species):
- Viburnum opulus, Sambucus nigra and Filipendula ulmaria
- Host plant (genera):
- Ligustrum, Fraxinus, Syringa and Symphoricarpos
The larva lives on Ligustrum, Syringa, Fraxinus, Symphoricarpus, Viburnum opulus, Sambucus nigra etc...
Habitat
Grasslands, thickets, open forests, gardens and marshes.
