Elephant Hawkmoth

[f.marsden]

I have also found a wandering elephant hawk moth caterpillar, or maybe two; but one I watched creep under a plant of erigeron growing in some crazy paving, as it did not creep out I am hoping it going to pupate in the soil there. So I must wait until next June to see it again, seems a long time. Very glad to know there seem to be a few about. What do the caterpillars eat? fmarsden.

[Dogghound]

They like to feed mainly on bedstraws and willowherbs.

[danang]

hi i live in south wales and just yesterday i found this ehm crawling across my lawn i have now put it in a black plastic bin with soil and fucsia leaves and a twig so i will leave it and see what happens and more info on how to look after it would be much appreciated many thanks

[danang]

also how long does it take to crystallize and how long does it take to turn into a moth many thanks, ps forgot to alter the year on the digi camera

[Lance Morgan]

Originally Posted by danang

also how long does it take to crystallize and how long does it take to turn into a moth many thanks, ps forgot to alter the year on the digi camera

I'm afraid it won't crystallize at all.

Nice one - It will pupate nowish and it takes a couple of weeks to do this properly so don't disturb it. It wiill emerge as a moth next june 2008 if kept in an unheated shed or garage.

[danang]

many thanx for the reply Lance,at the moment the place it is now is heated, how much of a difference will that make as i have never seen or done anything like this, its all new to me

[vole-woman]

Ooh, I just saw an ehm caterpillar this afternoon in my garden! (Pic on my blog.) It was so big I thought at first glance it was a baby grass snake! Well impressed, smashing thing.

[joedawn]

I found and identified an EHM caterpillar in my garden, have made it a home in a clear container about 2 shoe box size, it has soil, twigs and bark and lots of fuscia. The last 2 days it has munched its way through loads of fuscia, my, cant it eat fast! The last day however it has done nothing but crawl around the edges of the container, not sure if its looking for something of maybe a way out! I am now feeling very cruel and think i should let it go. Is there anyhting i can do, or maybe something i am doing wrong! It has now crawled under a piece of slate on the soil, seems to be hiding, could it be pupating, please can someone help me. Me and my son are very concerned, thanks

[Cazzie]

Hi there!

I've recently had one too! Have a read of this and see if it helps

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/fo...tml#post163966

[lainamai]

Hi all, just looked at this site as I think my 4 year old daughter has found an Elephant Hawk Moth Pupae in our garden, I will try and post some pics.

We have placed it in a nice big fish tank with bark, honeysuckle and twigs.

Do I need to keep it in a well lit area when it pupates or should i stick the whole tank in my shed and leave it till next year?

Also do I need to leave any food lying in the tank for the pupae or should I just leave it to munch on the honeysuckle?

Any replies would be appreciated.