A beautiful caterpillar has been spotted in the South Hams.

John Peacock, former chair of the Kingsbridge branch of the Royal British Legion, sent in a photo of a couple of caterpillars he found in his garden.

A quick Google search and some mild arguments in the South Hams Newspapers offices have led us to narrow it down to a Hawk Moth caterpillar, specifically, we think, a Privet Hawk Moth, Sphinx ligustri, but if any readers happen to be entomologists who can put us right, get in touch.

If it is a Hawk Moth caterpillar, then they are expected in open woodland, hedgerows, gardens and coastal scrub between July-September.

Described as a “magnificent bright green caterpillar” with “white and purple stripes and a black curved tail” by the charity Butterfly Conservation, the caterpillars overwinter as pupa, 30cm or more underground.

When they emerge as moths, they are the UK’s largest resident hawk-moth with a 9-12cm wingspan. They have a pink and black striped abdomen and hindwings, but these are not always visible and the strength of the pink varies.

Adults fly at night between June and July. They’re attracted to light, feed on nectar from highly-scented flowers and can sometimes be found resting vertically eg on tree trunks and fence posts.

For more information on butterflies and moths, visit the Butterfly Conservation website: butterfly-conservation.org.