The striped hawkmoth, baħrija tad-dwieli, is a beautiful moth which is a frequent migrant to our islands. Its Maltese name derives from the fact that the caterpillar, which feeds on various plants, is often found on grapevines.

This brownish-green striped hawkmoth is a large moth with a wingspan of 78 to 80mm. Characteristically, the adults have two lateral whitish stripes on the thorax (middle section) and a series of black and white stripes on its streamlined abdomen (tail end). The brownish forewings, which are narrow and pointed, have a tan stripe which extends from the base to the tip, and a series of white streaks running along its veins.

The smaller hindwings are black, having a broad pink band. The wings, like a large part of its body, are covered by minute scales – similar to dust particles. The head of this attractive moth has two, long segmented antennae and a long tubular mouth, known as proboscis.

The caterpillars, with their stout yellow and black bodies, have a horn-like structure at the posterior end.

Their heads have a hard and well-developed head cap and mandible (teeth-like) mouthparts for feeding on plants. Upon maturation they bury into the soil, where they remain for a number of days in the form of a pupa, before emerging into the striking adult moth.

The striped hawkmoth (scientific name: Hyles lineata ssp. livornica) is a protected species under local legislation and hence one should not capture, kill, keep or buy this important moth species without the prior consent of the Competent Authority.

More information may be obtained by e-mail: nature.requests@mepa.org.mt.

The United Nations declared 2010 to be the International Year of Biodiversity. Malta, together with many other countries around the globe, is carrying out a number of initiatives to celebrate life on earth and the value of biodiversity for our lives. We are all invited to take action in 2010 to safeguard the variety of life on earth: Biodiversity.