16 of an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar!

Paul Iddon

I had a great time tracking this amazing caterpillar around the leaves and branches of one of my fuchsia shrubs this evening. It's one of natures largest in the UK, and though not often seen, when you get to see them you can easily appreciate their beauty.

Longish thread over 2 posts, but hopefully you'll enjoy seeing all 16 of this wonderful larva, that hopefully, will now pupate in my garden and appear in the spring as a marvellous moth - though the chances of me seeing that happen are remote!

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cont....

Paul Iddon

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Hope you enjoyed them

Paul.

IPClark

Excellent series Paul. I'd be very pleased if I spotted one of these in my garden.

Paul Iddon

IPClark wrote: »

Excellent series Paul. I'd be very pleased if I spotted one of these in my garden.

Thanks Ian m8


Paul

Stumblebum

Awesome series!

Lord Vetinari

Wonderful stuff Paul
Brian v.

e6filmuser

Paul,

You have done a first class job on this. We don't find the default view until after the first half dozen. Great detail and texture.

For several years I would get one, no more, no less, on Willowherb in my garden. It most be five or so years since I saw one (all re-digital) although the food plants were there. I believe they may find Evening Primrose (Willowherb family) acceptable but did not on our plants.

Harold

Paul Iddon

Stumblebum wrote: »

Awesome series!

Lord Vetinari wrote: »

Wonderful stuff Paul
Brian v.

e6filmuser wrote: »

Paul,

You have done a first class job on this. We don't find the default view until after the first half dozen. Great detail and texture.

For several years I would get one, no more, no less, on Willowherb in my garden. It most be five or so years since I saw one (all re-digital) although the food plants were there. I believe they may find Evening Primrose (Willowherb family) acceptable but did not on our plants.

Harold

Thank you gents.

Willow herb is their preferred food, but in gardens the fuchsia becomes their option. Hopefully it won't spoil my little shrub too much before it settles down for the winter!

Paul.

e6filmuser

Paul Iddon wrote: »

Thank you gents.

Willow herb is their preferred food, but in gardens the fuchsia becomes their option. Hopefully it won't spoil my little shrub too much before it settles down for the winter!

Paul.

We have hardy Fuchias, and used to put others out during the summer, but it was always the lone Willowherb, Rosebay of Lesser. So this confirms their preference (sample size of one per annum!).

Harold

GOLDENORFE

I used to breed this species long time ago haven't seen one for a few years though