Striped hawk-moth

In standard European field guides, Striped Hawk-moth usually means Hyles livornica, a member of Sphingidae. It is often confused with the white-lined sphinx, Hyles lineata, which is the similar species found across much of the Americas. [Striped Hawk-moth](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyles_livornica)

Look for pale longitudinal stripes on the thorax and abdomen, reddish patches on the hindwings, and white-tipped antennae. Hyles livornica is also a fast-flying hawk-moth that is often active at night. [Striped Hawk-moth identification](https://www.birdsofsaudiarabia.com/2014/03/striped-hawk-moth-dhahran-hills.html)

In desert regions, heavy rain can trigger synchronized emergence after pupae remain dormant for more than a year. The new adults mate and lay eggs while annual plants are available, producing sudden caterpillar outbreaks. [Research on Hyles livornica](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3561205/)

Hyles livornica is not native to the Americas, despite the common-name confusion. In North and Central America, the white-lined sphinx, Hyles lineata, fills the similar visual and ecological role and can form large populations. [White-lined sphinx](https://www.ukmoths.org.uk/species/hyles-lineata/)