The larva of the Elephant Hawk Moth is about 75 millimetres (3.0 in) long and green and brown in colour. Like most hawk moth caterpillars, they have a backward curving spine or “horn” on the final abdominal segment. The anterior of the caterpillar appears to have the shape of a trunk-like snout. It is this elephant look, rather than its large size, that gives the moth its name. When startled, the caterpillar draws its trunk into its foremost body segment. This posture resembles a snake with a large head and four large eye-like patches. Caterpillars are preyed upon by birds, but they shy away from caterpillars in this “snake” pose.
The preferred food plants of the caterpillar are Willowherb (Epilobium) and Bedstraw (Galium), but they will also feed on fuchsias. They can be seen from July through to September. When fully grown the caterpillar moves down to the ground to pupate. It remains in this state until the following spring (around May) when it emerges as an adult moth. This amazing photo of a young Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar feeding on Rose-bay Willowherb, was taken on the Sustrans cycle track, near Benderloch on Thursday 2nd August 2012.Please send in your sightings using the form below, or email sightings@lnhg.org.uk with the details if you prefer. If you are not sure of the identity of your species, please send a photo to sightings@lnhg.org.uk, or put one on the LNHG Facebook page.
Comments or questions are welcome.
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Carl Farmer
LNHG Biological Records Manager
Photo by Carl Farmer
Camera : Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ150