The Snout (Hypena proboscidalis) lives in tropical rainforest across Sub-Saharan Africa. It feeds on linden tree leaves.
Fascinating facts about the The Snout
- First recorded by Carl Linnaeus in the 1758 10th edition of Systema Naturae, Hypena proboscidalis. Its range stretches from the Arctic Circle in northern Europe across the Palearctic, reaching as far east as Japan and Taiwan, and it even climbs above 1600 metres in the Alps.
- Caterpillars of the snout are velvety green with a darker dorsal line, blending perfectly with the leaves they munch. They feed on a variety of common plants: hop (Humulus spp.), nettle (Urtica spp.), ground-elder (Aegopodium sp.) and Stachys species. Such a broad diet lets them thrive in deciduous, mixed and coniferous forests, as well as hedges, gardens and parkland, turning ordinary gardens into hidden nurseries for this moth.
- The snout moth measures just 25-38 mm across its wings. Females often display a brownish tint while males stay grey.
- Hypena proboscidalis produces two generations each year, taking to the wing from May through September. In Belgium and the Netherlands this period defines its flight season, though local climates may shift the timing slightly.
- Male Snout moths wear plain grey wings, while most females turn brownish-yellow, a color shift first noted by Warren and linked to the species' name. This sexual dimorphism makes it easy for naturalists to spot the females in mixed forests, showing how subtle color changes can signal reproductive roles in even the smallest of moths.
Sources
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At a glance
RangeSub-Saharan Africa
HabitatTropical rainforest
DietLinden tree leaves
About the The Snout
In the velvety blackness of night, the Snout moth unfurls its delicate proboscis, a slender, thread-like tongue that probes the sweet depths of blooming flowers with the tender reverence of a lover's caress. As it dances through the shadows, its muted brown wings beating in a hypnotic rhythm, the Snout moth navigates a world of scent and sound, its feathery antennae twitching with every whispered promise of nectar and delight. With each whispered flutter, this enigmatic creature weaves a subtle spell of wonder, its very existence a testament to the magic that unfolds beneath the moon's silver gaze.
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