Skip to main content
Close

Bedstraw Hawk-Moth

Hyles gallii

Photo by misako
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

62.3213, -150.103

Field Notes

Description:

Hyles gallii have a wingspan reaching 5.5 to 8 centimeters. In appearance, this species is very similar to Hyles euphorbiae. However, in H. gallii the red of the hind wings is not so extensive and the olive-colored band on the forewings is not interrupted. These moths can be encountered at dusk feeding on flowers, but they are activey by night up to the day light. The flight period extends from May to October usually in one generation, but in good years there can be a second generation. The caterpillars can reach a length of 70 to 80 millimeters and are variably stained. A variant is olive green with yellow spots. Another version is black with yellow spots and red head. The colour of the caterpillars darkens before pupation. They feed on fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium, Epilobium montanum), on bedstraw (Galium verum and Galium mollugo) and various other plants (Chamaenerion angustifolium, Clarkia, Fuchsia, Circaea, Plantago major, etc.). They can be found from July to September.
Wikipedia

Habitat:

Feeding on potted flowers in front of an office in Talkeetna, Alaska.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (2)

Thank you KarenP! This was my first trip to Alaska and my first sighting of this moth. It was spectacular.
Love those moths! I visited Alaska in late June 2013 and am just starting to post my photos. Looking forward to seeing yours. :)

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon