Elephant Hawk-Moth question
- Dave McCormick
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- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:46 pm
- Location: Co Down, Northern Ireland
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Elephant Hawk-Moth question
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?
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?
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
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My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
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- Dave McCormick
- Posts: 2388
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:46 pm
- Location: Co Down, Northern Ireland
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I did. Just wonderd if they would use goosegrass as a foodplant thats all. I figured the rest out.
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
- Dave McCormick
- Posts: 2388
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:46 pm
- Location: Co Down, Northern Ireland
- Contact:
Thanks, I was going to go and get some willowherb and use it anyway, thanks.
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
- Dave McCormick
- Posts: 2388
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:46 pm
- Location: Co Down, Northern Ireland
- Contact:
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?
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
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- Location: GLOUCESTERSHIRE
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.
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.
Cotswold Cockney is the name
All aspects of Natural History is my game.
All aspects of Natural History is my game.
- Dave McCormick
- Posts: 2388
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:46 pm
- Location: Co Down, Northern Ireland
- Contact:
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.
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.
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
- Dave McCormick
- Posts: 2388
- Joined: Fri Mar 16, 2007 8:46 pm
- Location: Co Down, Northern Ireland
- Contact:
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.
Look cool in real life. Willowherb not doing so well, getting fuchia to use instead.
Cheers all,
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro
My Website: My new website: http://daveslepidoptera.com/ - Last Update: 11/10/2011
My Nature videos: http://www.youtube.com/user/DynamixWarePro