The Bubba of moths
Photo: Terry Jacklin
Terry Jacklin spotted a large privet hawk moth near Kelowna.
If a moth could be named Bubba, this would be it.
Terry Jacklin spotted the large, grey, winged beast in the Upper Mission in Kelowna, and that brings us to Castanet’s Bug of the Week.
Jacklin spotted a member of the privet hawk moth family, one of the larger moths to call the region home.
Hawk moths have also made social media rounds lately, with several social media posts being made about the winged critters.
Privet hawk moths can get five cm, or about two inches, in length, but they are not the biggest moths in the area.
The tarantula moth is bigger with a wing span of 10 to 15 cm, or some six inches, and despite its name, it is completely harmless.
The tarantula moth is also a quite a pretty insect, with distinct features.
The privet hawk moth is a more basic-looking moth.
And like all moths, the hawk moth is harmless to humans unless you struggle with mottephobia, which is the fear of moths and butterflies.
Hawk moths act as pollinators and are generally considered a benefit to have around, at least as adults.
Big moths come from big larvae and the hawk moth larvae is considered a pest as they are voracious eaters and can do damage to a garden.
Have you had an encounter of the insect kind? Email us a picture or video and we may feature it as our Bug of the Week.