Subject: Moth?
Location: Cyprus
July 28, 2016 3:35 am
This insect is currently in my garden in Cyprus, I think it is a moth but as it is out in daytime I am not sure. I hope you can help!
Signature: Peter
Dear Peter,
You are correct that this is a moth, and moths are not limited to nocturnal flights. There are many species that are diurnal, flying during daylight hours. We are confident we have properly identified your individual as a Levant Hawkmoth, Theretra alecto, thanks to the Cyprus Discovery website. According to Sphingidae of the Western Palaearctic, despite being “The commonest sphingid in Lebanon, apart from Macroglossum stellatarum … Little is known about the behaviour of this species except that it is attracted to flowers and light.”