Elephant Hawk-Moth question

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 9:05 am

I just got 5 pupae of Elephant Hawk-Moth and want to know, since the larvae can take bedstraw, would goosegrass (sticky weed) do? I can get willowherb anyway as it covers areas where I live.

Also, what would be a good plant to feed adults on? I got a big foxglove in a pot, if that will do.

Could someone Advise?

eccles · Post by **eccles** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 2:24 pm

I've heard that adults like to nectar from honeysuckle.

Martin · Post by **Martin** » Sun Jun 03, 2007 6:22 pm

I would have thought you should have done this research before you got the animals.

Martin.

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 8:05 am

I did. Just wonderd if they would use goosegrass as a foodplant thats all. I figured the rest out.

BRIAN · Post by **BRIAN** » Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:46 pm

I've always use willowherb for foodplant for elephant hawks, the adults pair easily just as it's going dark, they will feed from flowers, trumpet type work well, but lilac and privet can also be used, I would also force feed the females once paired on a suger water soloution 10%
hope this helps

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:09 am

Thanks, I was going to go and get some willowherb and use it anyway, thanks.

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:14 am

The larvae will also take Fuschia. hardy type is best. Buddlia and honeysuckle are best for feeding the adults.

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 7:59 am

Thanks all for your help, but I have a hard time growing plants in pots. Anyone got suggestions? My willowherb is wilting. Would I grow them from small plants so they can take time to grow, any help?

Lance · Post by **Lance** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 12:55 pm

Willowherb grows well in pots but grown from seed is best. It is difficult to get it to transfer without plenty of soil around the roots and as you have seen it wilts very quickly without or if it is cut.
Rosebay willowherb is better than great/hairy willowherb..

BRIAN · Post by **BRIAN** » Tue Jun 05, 2007 9:36 pm

If you do use willowherb in bottles of water, bash the bottom few inches with a hammer and use rainwater in the bottle, they will last a bit longer if you use this method, another way is to put wet soil in jars and put the cut willowherb into them (I read that in a journal somewhere)

Cotswold Cockney · Post by **Cotswold Cockney** » Fri Jun 08, 2007 5:30 pm

Knowing my interests, a friendly neighbour who is a keen plant enthusiast brought a large caterpillar along to show me that her son had found on his beloved fuschias. He had large pots of them. I told them what it was and as it was obviously fully grown, I prepared a pupation box for it and promised to show the beautiful moth next spring when it should emerge all being well. I did not mention the possibility of parasites.

Checked it occasionally and was reassured as to its well being when the abdomen would wriggle from time to time. Looks a fine healthy pupa.

The following spring I brought the pupa still in its box inside from my unheated garage. I still had a spare breeding cage from the days long since passed when I bred much and within a few days, the moth duly emerged.

I took it along to my neighbours as promised and I was pleased to see the delight on their faces when seeing this common, but very beautiful moth for the very first time. We placed it on a Fuschia plant and left it to fly off when ready.

I sometimes wonder how many other plant enthusiasts would simply stamp on that 'horrible grub' they found on their plants ... as more often than not is usually the outcome of such a find. Ignorance is not always bliss....

To my eyes, the freshly emerged Elephant Hawk Moth is one of the finest and most beautiful of all the Butterflies and Moths we have in the British Isles.

I have raised fine Humming Bird Hawk Moth Larvae on Goose Grass ( or Cleavers) growing in the hedgerow at the front of my house. They feed up quickly ~ about two weeks if I remember correctly. Another Moth I'm always pleased to see most years when it shows up in my garden. It's enjoyed some good years in the UK recently.... Always a welcome sight.

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 11:29 am

Thinking of that, last year I found one Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar in the place that was to be tore down cause it was dangerous. I saved it and it pupated. I let pupae out somewhere safe and never saw adult. Hope it survived.

There is more willowherb in parts of the forests around me than trees, in the clearings. Good place for them. Maybe when I make my moth trap I can see if I am allowed to put it out in one of these locations to see.

Anyway, pupae still healthy and should not be long before they hatch.

Dave McCormick · Post by **Dave McCormick** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 12:20 pm

Been a while and now I have my first aduts:

Look cool in real life. Willowherb not doing so well, getting fuchia to use instead.