Sphingidae

69.008 Narrow-bordered Bee Hawk-moth Hemaris tityus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Notable B

Similar species:

Forewing: 18 to 21mm

Habitats: Unimproved acid grassland and bogs, dry heathland, short sward grasslands, species-rich calcareous grasslands.

Habits: The moth flies in sunshine, especially a couple of hours each side of mid-day. It nectars at Bugle, Bluebells, louseworts, Ground-ivy, Honeysuckle, Rhododendron, Viper's Bugloss and other species.

Foodplant: The larva feeds mainly on Devil's-bit Scabious although it is sometimes found on Small Scabious and Field Scabious. It pupates just under the soil surface or in leaf litter.