Elephant Hawk-moth | Hainault Forest

69.016 Elephant Hawk-moth

Deilephila elpenor

These beautiful moths fly from May to August. The common name is a reference to its large caterpillars that are shaped like an elephant's trunk, are up to 7 cm long and have two large eye spots. The caterpillars hide among leaves during the day and feed at night. Larval foodplants include willowherbs, bedstraws and fuschia.