The UK’s largest resident species of moth has been spotted at a nature reserve.
Volunteers from the Benfield Wildlife and Conservation Group in Hove were shocked to find a privet hawkmoth while litter picking.
Chairwoman of the conservation group Sally Wadsworth said: “Some of the team found it in the bushes and it looked as though it had just hatched out.”
The volunteers were litter picking and taking care of areas that needed chopping back when they found the “chunky moth”.
While the privet moth is a common species, Sally said they are not spotted often.
“They are really striking to see,” she said.
The moth, which has a large wingspan of up to 12cm, is often identified by its pink and black striped abdomen and flies between the months of June and July.
It was sighted alongside a male and female common lizard who were sunbathing together.
Privet moth on a stick of privet. (Image: Sally Wadsworth)
Benfield Hill Nature Reserve contains several shrubs of the flowering plant privet, which Sally believes the moths were feeding on.
The Benfield Wildlife and Conservation Group is known to routinely visit the site to partake in clean-ups to ensure the park’s upkeep for visitors.
Currently, the reserve houses “hundreds” of common spotted orchids and wildflowers “showing at their best”.
These plants often attract butterflies to the reserve including the blue bottle, the common blue and the painted lady.
“(There is) loads and loads of stuff to see,” said Sally.
Sally has been a member of the Benfield Wildlife and Conservation Group since 2014 and became chairwoman in 2021.
She said the reserve is her passion and that it is a “truly fantastic place”.
It is made up of a chalky hillside and is located in the South Downs National Park.
“We want to preserve it for future generations,” said Sally.
The reserve has recently been visited by a year five class from Benfield Primary School.
“Children and young people are the future,” Sally said and expressed the importance of getting the younger generation involved in wildlife conservation.