THIS Poplar Hawk Moth may be an unusual sight in a suburban garden, but it was happy enough to hang around long enough to let Evening Press photographer Paul Baker take this picture of it.
Christine Watmough spotted the moth on a bush next to her garage in Woodthorpe, York, and was struck by the size of it.
"I'd never seen a moth as big as that before," she said. "I wouldn't like it flying around me."
The fawn-brown moth was hanging from the bush. It appeared to be drying off its wings after emerging from its chrysalis and was happy to pose for a picture before flying off.
Stuart Ogilvy, from the Yorkshire Museum, said Poplar Hawk Moths were not a common sight, but were not a rare species either, and now was the time to see them, especially at night.
"You don't come across them very often and we only get one or two brought in to be identified each year," said the assistant curator for natural sciences.
Updated: 11:58 Tuesday, August 14, 2001
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article