Elephant hawk moth caterpillar

The adults are nocturnal, flying from dusk and coming to light, resting by day amongst its foodplants. They feed from honeysuckle ( Lonicera) and other tubular flowers on the wing. The larvae are usually seen when looking for somewhere to pupate, or when resting on stems in good weather, as they are very large, with noticeable eye markings. They overwinter as pupae in fragile cocoons at the base of plants in loose plant debris/litter, or just below the surface of the ground. Flight Season Flies from May to July in one generation. Size and Family • Family – Hawk-moths (Sphingidae) • Medium Sized • Wingspan Range – 45-60mm Conservation Status • UK BAP: Not listed • Common Caterpillar Food Plants Rosebay Willowherb ( Epilobium angustifolium), other willowherbs, bedstraws ( Galium), Enchanter’s Nightshade, fuchsias and Himalyan Balsalm (). Habitat A variety of habitats, often where Rosebay Willowherb is present, such as rough grassland, waste ground and clearings, hedgerows, heathland, sand dunes, woodland (rides and clearings) and garden s. Distribution • Countries – England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland. • Very widely and well distributed throughout England and Wales, expanding its range north, widely and well distributed in Ireland, thinly distributed in Scotland, very local and rare in the Channel Islands.

“W hat’s that stealth bomber?” Anna points to a charcoal and black moth the length of her little finger. It perches motionless, velvet abdomen curved upward as if ready to sting, scalloped wings tilted, silver antennae stowed tight along its chunky thorax. It’s an eyed hawk-moth ( Smerinthus ocellata). We’ve been moth trapping on the edge of Powerstock Forest, an ancient woodland. Overnight, the lightbox has attracted a baffling range of insects. A Diachrysia chrysitis) gleams in a cranny near the lid, its metallic wings winking penny-bright in the morning sun. Several Phalera bucephala) pretend to be chipped birch twigs. A tiny Yponomeuta padella), white wings peppered with black flecks, rests on an eggbox. An elephant hawk-moth caterpillar. Photograph: Arto Hakola/Alamy The hawk-moths are spectacular. The drab khaki and dusty-pink striped elephant hawk-moth ( Deilephila elpenor) is the most familiar. Elephant refers not to its size but to Sphinx ligustri), which, with a wingspan of up to 12cm, is Britain’s largest resident species. This specimen must be nearly that big. Its huge, elongated, furry abdomen is banded rose carmine and black like some carnival hornet. Sphinx ligustri is often found in Dorset woods and gardens, where it feeds on nectar from night-scented flowers. July is the month its massive caterpillars will be hatching. Lime green with white and lilac side flashes, their soft, yoghurt-gum bodies culminate in a black and yellow tail horn. These larvae eat li...

The Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar resembles an elephant’s trunk (hence the name, of course). These caterpillars are the larvae of an elephant hawk moth, and they have a diverse diet. But, what do elephant hawk moth caterpillars actually eat? Elephant hawk moth caterpillars have a diet consisting mainly of plants and veggies. They love eating kale, lettuce, fuchsias, and many other plants and veggies. They are not fussy eaters! Elephant hawk moth caterpillars eat various plant species for their diet. They eat anything from willow trees to poisonous field bindweed. Most animals avoid eating these plants because of their poisonous nature, but the hawk moth caterpillar isn’t bothered by the poisons these plants have. Hawk moth caterpillars absorb these poisonous chemicals when they’re feeding and can use the absorbed chemicals as a defensive manoeuvre against predators. Unlike many other moth larvae, elephant hawk moth caterpillars can also feed on fruits. In summer, they feed on lettuce, corn cobs, and cabbage. Fuchsia bushes are a top food source for these caterpillars too. The larvae of elephant hawk moths also eat nectar from a wide range of plants. They love eating nectar from flowering plants and plant matter. The long and short of it is that elephant hawk moth caterpillars are not fussy! Yes, if the infestation is large enough then elephant hawk moth caterpillars can drain all of the life out of your plants and kill them completely. What Do Elephant Hawk Moths Eat? An ...

In response to the many questions received on how to look after caterpillars here are 10 easy steps to follow. As highlighted in the introduction It really is possible to witness one of the wonders of the natural world taking place in your own front room! This guide is intended to help those wishing to start by raising common species. Not all caterpillars are suitable for rearing, collecting or release. Contact local conservation groups for advice if uncertain. Please note Caterpillars and larvae refer to the second life-cycle stage of a moth or butterfly. Larva is generally considered as being a more scientific term but here ‘caterpillar’ is used being the term more people are familiar with. Pupa and chrysalis both refer to the third life-cycle stage. It is the norm to refer to moth pupa and butterfly chrysalis. A cocoon is a protective pupa outer casing. Warning Some countries have species of caterpillar with stinging (urticating) hairs! Step 1 – identify the caterpillar Having found a caterpillar and wishing to rear it the first step is to To be able to rear a caterpillar successfully it’s necessary to know its requirements. Different species feed on different plants. Many have variable development and emergent times. Those with more complex life cycles and specific requirements are best left to the more experienced. Step 2- identify the food plant Knowing the foodplant not only tells you what to feed the caterpillar on but may also help with its identification. Some ex...

A caterpillar crossed the path in a lumbering panic, suddenly exposed to the light and space of the valley floor, the boots of walkers and the teeth of dogs. It seemed so vulnerable that I picked it up to move it to safety, whereupon it became something else. Its head withdrew into the thick of its 80mm olive and black body, inflating two sets of eye-spots. Its horned tail-end rose upright in a snake-like strike posture. This was the classic pose of Deilephila elpenor, the large elephant hawk moth, so called because of its trunk-like caterpillar. In late summer, the caterpillars leave their rosebay willowherb or fuchsia food plants to find sanctuary under leaves to spin a cocoon and pupate over winter. It is during these journeys that the elephant hawk moths galumph into silly-season headlines as they freak people out. This one was a long way from willowherb or fuchsia, perhaps it was feeding on bedstraws; the ground was too hard to hide in and it seemed headed for disaster with only its appearance for protection. The usual explanation for the caterpillar’s defensive display is that it deters insect-eating birds by mimicking a snake, but a four-eyed, horned snake? This is something that could be two or more creatures, a monster. “O, beautiful monsters,” wrote Friedrich Nietzsche (in The Gay Science), “Are you afraid I will reveal your great secret?” The caterpillar was so different from the large, pink and olive adult moth because it really was a chimera – a being that cha...