Eyed Hawk-moth Moth

Smerinthus ocellata

A large impressive moth, the Eyed Hawk-moth looks a little similar to the Poplar Hawk-moth (but with darker head) until it opens its wings to reveal the

black-bordered blue "eye" rings on a pinky red background that give the moth its name (unfortunately not clearly seen in the photo above).

These photos were taken by Terry Hobbs on the walls of Moorlands Junior School, Bath

The hawk-moth will raise its wings to reveal the full eyespots when it feels threatened, looking a little like an owl with the wingtips as ears and the body as beak, to startle predators and escape.

Despite its startling appearance it is, like all moths, completely harmless.