Appearance
The wingspan is 80–100 mm.Naming
*''Hyles nicaea nicaea''⤷ ''Hyles nicaea lathyrus''
⤷ ''Hyles nicaea castissima''
⤷ ''Hyles nicaea sheljuzkoi''
⤷ ''Hyles nicaea orientalis''
Distribution
The nominate subspecies is found from southern Portugal and Spain though southern Europe to Turkey. It is also found on the Balearic Islands and in south-western Bulgaria.Behavior
Adults are on wing in June in one generation. At times there is a partial second generation in August. Subspecies ''H. n. castissima'' is on wing from May to June and from July to August in two generations. Subspecies ''H. n. orientalis'' is on wing from June to July in one generation. Subspecies ''H. n. sheljuzkoi'' is on wing in May and July/August in two to three generations.The larvae feed on ''Euphorbia'' species, including ''Euphorbia nicaeensis''. Subspecies ''H. n. orientalis'' feeds on ''Euphorbia petrophila'' and ''Euphorbia seguieriana'' and ''H. n. sheljuzkoi'' has been recorded on ''Euphorbia oxydonta'' in Jordan.
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