It has a 12 centimetres (4.7 in) wingspan (generally
deflexed at rest), and is found in urban areas, forests and woodlands.
The male privet hawk moth can make a hissing sound, if disturbed, by rubbing together a set of scales and spines at the end of its abdomen.[2]
The
larvae are usually found between July and August: and bury themselves in the earth when preparing to become a
pupa. They then fly in the following June.[3]
Diet
As both its common name and
specific name - ligustri being derived from the
Latinligustrum, 'privet' - describes, the caterpillars feed on
privets, as well as
ash trees,
lilacs,
jasmine, and a number of other plants.