Levant Hawkmoth from Cyprus

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

Levant Hawkmoth
Levant Hawkmoth

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.”

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