Moth identification?

[russell]

Hi,
Spotted this enormous moth in the garden today:


it made a tremendous noise in flight and its wingspan at rest was about two inches (50 mm for the youngsters)

Can anyone identify it?

Russell.

[russell]

Clearly no-one could identify it. However I have now discovered that it is this: http://palmae.free.fr/paysandisia_archon.htm

If you see any around your garden check and treat your palm trees as they can kill them in about three years.

Russell.

[tubs]

We've had one of them around for the last week or so,goes and comes back again.
It's really quite big with an impressive wingspan.

[Admin]

Here's a bit more about this chap

http://www.anglophone-direct.com/UPDATE ... aysandisia?

[Nigel and Karen]

We had one in our garden last week thought it looked lovely and have only just found out what it was! Now back in the UK and worrying about the 2 palms we have.

[opas]

I have a client who last a lovely mature palm to this species of moth last year. He now sprays an protects his palm s with a net whilst back in UK.

[Nigel and Karen]

Which spray does he use ?

[russell]

There is an article in today's Independant about these moths.

My palm tree has been sprayed with Palmanem which contains 50 million nematodes which search out and eat the larvae. It doesn't affect other insects but needs doing every month until October or November depending on the temperatures. The smallest pack costs about €35 and does up to six trees but it doesn't keep, you need to use a new pack each time. Add to that the cost of hiring a power sprayer perhaps four or five times a year and it gets rather expensive so a good idea to share with friends or neighbors.

Unless all the trees in the area are treated, and we have an abandoned campsite near us with lots of palms, the chance of re-infection is very high. Perhaps the only long term solution will be the chainsaw, just like the elms in the UK

Russell.