Willowherb hawkmoth

Proserpinus proserpina (Pallas, 1772)

Distribution: Found in Western Palearctic regions, spanning from North Africa to Western Siberia, with local populations in Ukraine.

Bionomics: This moth prefers hygro-mesophilic environments, like lowland meadows, wet thickets, and swampy forest edges. It’s active from April to June, primarily during twilight, and feeds on nectar from fragrant plants like Silene and Salvia. The female lays up to 160 eggs on the underside of leaves. Caterpillars develop on plants like Epilobium. Pupation occurs in the litter or shallow soil.

Abundance and Conservation: Classified as “rare” in the Red Book of Ukraine (2021). Although not currently threatened, creating entomological reserves in its habitats is recommended for protection.