A large and beautifully marked Oleander Hawk-moth, photographed on a wall in our garden two years ago. I assume that it laid the small green eggs visible on the wall below it.
The larvae of this moth are able to eat the poisonous leaves of the oleander, hence its name. Because of its camouflage colours it is also known as the Army Green Moth. Its scientific name is Daphis nerii. It is a migratory moth mostly found across Africa, in southern Europe and in south and east Asia.
Unfortunately, unlike in the past, I seldom see these moths or their larvae (caterpillars) these days.
Posted by Carol
letting nature back in 
October 4, 2018 at 1:45 pm
Great shot, very pretty moth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
October 4, 2018 at 8:18 pm
Thanks very much. It definitely is an attractive moth.
LikeLike
September 3, 2018 at 2:47 am
What very interesting and unusual (to me) wildlife you have! It’s so fascinating to learn of the way different varieties you have over there on your side of the globe!
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 5, 2018 at 8:32 pm
One of the benefits of blogging is to share across the globe 🙂
LikeLike
August 31, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Proof, if it was ever needed that nature is the finest painter of all. And that you are an extremely fine photographer 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 7:43 pm
Yes the markings do look painted. And thank you for the generous compliment.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Sad to hear this, but it is the same in Sweden. Great effect on birds as well. The last two years we have not had the European Pied Flycatcher in our garden – and I read that this is a general decline. Ornithologists say they find chicks in their nests, but they have starved to death.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 7:42 pm
How horrendous. So sad to hear about this. It does not bode well for the future.
LikeLike
August 31, 2018 at 8:11 pm
No, but ordinary people like me do what they can…I really don’t know how to turn this right again. If it is even possible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 8:18 pm
I agree that we should all try to do what we can, and not use pesticides for starters! It does seem small in the face of commercial agricultural and other large scale development practices but perhaps a network of small practices might add up to providing some benefit.
LikeLike
August 31, 2018 at 8:25 pm
We have to believe we can. Never used pesticides in my garden. Now growing more and more bee and butterfly attracting plants. Putting up bee homes as well. It is quite the movement in Sweden .
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 8:36 pm
Good to hear there is a movement embracing such practices in Sweden. I agree that we need to believe and hope that we can make meaningful changes. It helps too when we can encourage each other not to be disheartened. Thanks Leya.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 5:51 am
Although oleander was common where we lived in France, I’ve never seen this magnificent creature before. I hope your experience doesn’t suggest it’s heading for extinction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 6:02 am
Seems that generally there are fewer insects. A worrying trend.
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 1, 2018 at 7:50 pm
Have you read Michael Mc Carthy’s The Moth Snowstorm? He covers this, as well as other worrying trends. Part memoir, part natural history, part polemic, it’s fascinating.
LikeLiked by 1 person
September 5, 2018 at 8:10 pm
I have not read it. I think there was a discussion about it I saw in a blog post not so long ago. Thanks for the recommendation. I will look for it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 5:02 am
A new one for me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 5:43 am
I hope though that there are other hawk-moths in evidence where you are?
LikeLike
August 31, 2018 at 4:38 am
Great shot, especially with the eggs. We have these in Hawaii too, but I have yet to see one let alone get a photo of one. Too bad they’re not around as much anymore for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 5:37 am
Thanks Graham. I read somewhere that they were introduced into Hawaii in the 1970s. Yes it is sad that they are no longer so evident.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 12:01 am
Lovely shot of this beauty!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 5:33 am
Thanks Belinda. Certainly is a very lovely moth.
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 30, 2018 at 10:45 pm
Stunning creature – what a beauty. A pity that you are seeing less of them. Why do you suppose that is?
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 5:31 am
Yes it is gorgeous. I can only guess as to why there are fewer hawk and emperor moths around. In fact the number and diversity of insects seems to be so diminished since I was a child. The loss must have a knock-on effect on insect-eating birds too. I suppose that those of us with gardens can play a small role in providing a network of poison-free havens.
LikeLiked by 2 people
August 30, 2018 at 9:31 pm
Wow what a neat picture!
LikeLiked by 1 person
August 31, 2018 at 5:20 am
Thank you. It’s a pretty neat moth!
LikeLike