Residents in Burton, South Derbyshire and Uttoxeter could see an invasion of massive insects in their homes this summer.

'Giant sex-crazed moths' are heading this way as they search for a mate and, according to wildlife experts, these insects generally wake up in the summer - and people are starting to notice them.

However, experts say there is nothing to worry about as they pose no harm to humans and merely exist to have sex.

A number of sightings of the over-sized moth have been reported on social media.

They don't even eat or drink, as they die as soon as they have mated, the Liverpool Echo reports.

A poplar hawk moth

Although the Poplar Hawk - or Laothoe populi - species of moth featured in these photos appears over-sized, there are even bigger moths out there.

Alan Gunn, subject leader in Natural Sciences and Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University, said: "As its name suggests, the caterpillars feed on the leaves of poplar trees.

"The caterpillars get very large but because they are green and feeding high up in the tree canopy we do not know that they are there.

"When they have finished feeding the caterpillars crawl down to the ground and pupate over winter.

"The adult moths emerge at this time of year but do not live very long. Hence they make a sudden dramatic appearance and are then gone."

This giant moth was spotted outside a McDonalds

The moths fly at night but are attracted to light, so you might find them flying through open doors and windows, on railway platforms and anywhere lights are left on overnight.

Alan said: "They try and find somewhere dark and out of sight to rest during the day because birds find them very tasty.

"If you disturb the moths then they sometimes flash their underwings – this is a 'startle response'.

"However, they are totally harmless and cannot bite. Indeed, they are unable to feed because their proboscis is non-functioning.

"So attempting to give them a treat of sugar water or putting them on a flower will not help them.

"The adult moths exist only to fly around and have sex. After that, they die. It’s a short life and you don’t even get to eat and drink."

Julie Jones and her daughter Maxine Walker spotted one of the moths resting on an air vent outside McDonald's in Liverpool.

Mrs Jones said: "It was rather daunting finding a moth so big and I was a little scared taking the picture in case it flew at me.

"I have never seen a moth so big."