what type of catterpiller is this
what type of catterpiller is this
please look at the attments to try and tell me what they are as iam a newbie to all this thanking you all geoff
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Re: what type of catterpiller is this
think thats the elephant hawk moth
Re: what type of catterpiller is this
Geoff,
No question about it - that is an Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar. It's a beautiful caterpillar and a beautiful moth when hatched. Mostly they feed on Rosebay Willow Herb (Fireweed) as there's a lot of it about on common ground. The caterpillar will stay down the bottom of the Fireweed plants during the the day and then crawl up to the top the stalks to feed during the night.
The caterpillar will pupate in loose dead leaves and general herbage on the ground if I remember correctly, as opposed to burrying into earth as per most Hawkmoth larvae. So if you are looking after the caterpillar make sure it has the above for when it wants to pupate.
Michael
No question about it - that is an Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar. It's a beautiful caterpillar and a beautiful moth when hatched. Mostly they feed on Rosebay Willow Herb (Fireweed) as there's a lot of it about on common ground. The caterpillar will stay down the bottom of the Fireweed plants during the the day and then crawl up to the top the stalks to feed during the night.
The caterpillar will pupate in loose dead leaves and general herbage on the ground if I remember correctly, as opposed to burrying into earth as per most Hawkmoth larvae. So if you are looking after the caterpillar make sure it has the above for when it wants to pupate.
Michael
- Trev Sawyer
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Re: what type of catterpiller is this
Yep. Large Elephant Hawk moth - The caterpillars are also fond of fuchia plants and commonly turn up in potted displays. The adult is like a beautiful pink and ochre version of Concorde ;o)
Trev
Trev
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Re: what type of catterpiller is this
It does appear to be on a fuchsia plant. My neighbour found some on his fuchsia this year, but i have never had such luck with mine.
- Lee Hurrell
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Re: what type of catterpiller is this
I've learnt something today. I always though Fuschias were useless to Leps!
Now I know otherwise I will check those I see.
Cheers
Lee
Now I know otherwise I will check those I see.
Cheers
Lee
To butterfly meadows, chalk downlands and leafy glades; to summers eternal.
Re: what type of catterpiller is this
Here's a few images of an adult and a closeup of the caterpillar from a couple of years back. I had some small strands of Willow-herb growing amongst gravel round the side of the house, and a Elephant Hawkmoth had obviously decided it was good enough for a couple of caterpillars, even though the strands of Willow-herb were no bigger than 10 inches.
And yes, they can feed on Fuschia too. I'm just more familiar with them amongst the Willow-herb!
Michael
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
And yes, they can feed on Fuschia too. I'm just more familiar with them amongst the Willow-herb!
Michael
Re: what type of catterpiller is this
Thank you to you all
what a lovley looking moth it is will look forward to see it hatch will check on it every day and try and keep the birds away
thanking you Geoff
p.s. keep on looking you do not know what you will find in your garden so my wild garden is working
what a lovley looking moth it is will look forward to see it hatch will check on it every day and try and keep the birds away
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
thanking you Geoff
p.s. keep on looking you do not know what you will find in your garden so my wild garden is working