Hi and Help - Elephant head hawk moth born today !

BENDYCAT · #1 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 06:42 PM

Hi there and hello to all

Been finding wild life all my life and now as a gardener, last August i was clearing a garden and found a elephant head hawk caterpillar and gave it a home - feed him up and he turned to pupate for the winter months - he/she has been in a small tank out of harms way

it has hatched today - which is not really a surprise as i have found the months to be coming one month early ! buds and blossom out

wanted to let a couple of people see it as it is so beautiful - but should i get some sugary water for it to feed on

does any one know how long they live ?
and if letting it go into the wild now would be too soon ?

i'm in Surrey, UK - we have had mixed weather, but this week is a bit warmer and seems to have changed slighty

hope some one can help ?

many thanks B

BENDYCAT · #2 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 08:52 PM

here's the pic's from a couple of minutes ago

have put some sugar watered sponges and a cotton bud drip of sugar water in the tank

DavyG · #3 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 09:15 PM

Welcome to WAB Bendycat and thanks for such a good post.

I can't give you any advice on how to look after the moth but I suspect you'll do a great job.

Thanks for posting your pics also, they're very good.

Dave

BENDYCAT · #4 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 09:18 PM

thank you Dave - i wish i had of taken some more before when i first found it - i say it a si think it's a female ?

will try to get some more soon

sunnydale · #5 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 10:06 PM

Hi Bendycat. Welcome to WAB.

Your moth is beautiful!

If you post on this section, you may get the info you're after...

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/forums/moths/

Tracey:-)

twitchyt · #6 (**permalink**) 06-04-2010, 10:23 PM

hi bendy,
Wow what a spectacular moth, and great photography.

wizzo · #7 (**permalink**) 07-04-2010, 02:35 PM

Hi Bendy and a big WAB welcome from Wizzo

animartco · #8 (**permalink**) 12-04-2010, 11:19 AM

Hi Bendycat, How clever of you to get such a healthy specimin hatched just at the right time! I would advise letting it go at once. They don't live very long and every minute you are keeping it locked up is one minute less to find a mate. There must be loads of blossom about by now?
Cheers Animartco
PS I maust be about your nearest neighbour! 5miles out of Canterbury.