Sphingidae : Macroglossinae
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Photo © David Hunt,  Harpenden, Hertfordshire (05/06/18)

Immature stages

Similar Herts & Middlesex Species
Small Elephant Hawk-moth
Deilephila porcellus
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Elephant Hawk-moth
Deilephila elpenor

(Linnaeus, 1758) 1991 / 69.016

General comments:
Widespread and abundant. Potentially ubiquitous.
With over 4000 records in the database this striking 'pink elephant' is amongst the most frequently reported species in Hertfordshire. This is very largely due to the many reports of caterpillars received from the general public who find them wandering away from the their foodplant in search of a suitable subterranean spot in which to pupate and pass the winter. Most caterpillars are reported on Rosebay Willow-herb, but garden Fucshia plants are also very much a part of the caterpillar's diet.

Hertfordshire Notes:
Hodgson (1939) notes adults feeding from flowers of honeysuckle and rarely at sugar and flowing sap from pine at Ashridge.

Recorded in 39 (95%) of 41 10k Squares.
First Recorded in 1887.
Last Recorded in 2024.
Additional Stats

< Striped Hawk-moth | Small Elephant Hawk-moth >

List Species Records   [Show All Latest]
Latest 5 Records
Date#VC10k Area
26/06/2024221TQ09 - Watford / Rickmansworth
18/10/2023120TL23 - Letchworth / Baldock
22/09/2023120TL34 - Royston (S)
17/09/2023120TL34 - Royston (S)
11/09/2023120TL09 -
Show Details | 1990 to 2023 | 2000 to 2023 | Graph Key
Express Record Elephant Hawk-moth
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Copyright © Lepidoptera UK 2024
   

VC20 VC21 VC21 VC20
Click Map for Details
Forewing: 28-33mm.
Flight: One generation May-Aug.
Foodplant:   Rosebay Willowherb, other willowherbs and bedstraws, Fuschia
Red List: Least Concern (LC)
GB Status: Common
Verification Grade:  Adult: 1
 Immature Adult   [Show Flight Weeks]
© hertsmiddxmoths.uk 2024 NOLA®; Database using MapMate® Digital Maps © Bartholomew 2010. Design © Jim Wheeler 2024
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