Elephant Hawk Moth Catterpillar

[Cazzie]

Aww, found this chappie mooching along some stone steps on a new building development in the village. It was well away from vegetation and thought a bird would soon get it so I just had to rescue it lol!



Took his piccy on a bench...



I was suprised as to how 'cold' it felt when I picked it up. I noticed how it's losing some of the velvet covering (sorry, don't know the proper name for it's fuzz) does this mean that's it's close to pupating?

So it's now in a new home (with me!) with some soil, willow herb and fuschia leaves. Will it be happy in there or should I use compost instead of soil.



When do you think it will pupate? Can't wait to see my sons face when he see's it - he'll be amazed!!!

Any info greatly received - thanks!

[rscott74]

Looks like it's ready to pupate, When it does put it away til next spring. I kept one and this is the result in early June the following year - well worth the wait!

[Cazzie]

What a lovely piccy of your moth!!!

I presume it will be ok in the garage in it's placcy tank? I've been watching it the last few hours and it's not eating at all, is that ok do you think

[rscott74]

I'm no expert. I put mine in the back of the shed where I'd notice it but it wouldn't be disturbed. I think yours is at the end of its caterpillar stage and will turn into a dark brown shell that's a bit smaller than the caterpillar. If you want to know its OK next spring try gently touching, say from May. and it should twitch.
When that started to occur I opened the container lid and covered it with an umberella style cake cover (it can be seen in the posted image). Then check on it a couple of times a day. The whole thing is marvellous - we've all read about it but to see it happen is great. Any children involved will enjoy it but it is a long wait. Another poster recently did what you're about to do and has discovered she's pregnant and the baby will arrive before the moth

[GuyF]

Originally Posted by Cazzie

I presume it will be ok in the garage in it's placcy tank? I've been watching it the last few hours and it's not eating at all, is that ok do you think

Hi Cazzie,
Which plant have you put in the tank? Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillars like to eat Willowherbs (and other things, possibly Bedstraws?) so it may be that the leaves aren't right for it.
If you can find any of this stuff nearby, Rosebay Willowherb, then that should keep your caterpillar happy.

As rscott has said, the moths are spectacular, well worth the effort to raise them.
Guy

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by rscott74

Looks like it's ready to pupate, When it does put it away til next spring. I kept one and this is the result in early June the following year - well worth the wait!

Nice moth, this one will be slighly different though as its the larger variety Deilephila elpenor as oppose to the small one D.pocellus in your photo.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

they're both D. elpenor arn't they.

neil

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by wildlifesnapper

Hi

they're both D. elpenor arn't they.

neil

Yes lol my mistake oops, just had a quick glance sorry rscott74

[Cazzie]

Originally Posted by rscott74

I'm no expert. I put mine in the back of the shed where I'd notice it but it wouldn't be disturbed. I think yours is at the end of its caterpillar stage and will turn into a dark brown shell that's a bit smaller than the caterpillar. If you want to know its OK next spring try gently touching, say from May. and it should twitch.
When that started to occur I opened the container lid and covered it with an umberella style cake cover (it can be seen in the posted image). Then check on it a couple of times a day. The whole thing is marvellous - we've all read about it but to see it happen is great. Any children involved will enjoy it but it is a long wait. Another poster recently did what you're about to do and has discovered she's pregnant and the baby will arrive before the moth

Well my son was well happy when he got back from his walk with friends today and he's had 'Denzel' (he likes Only Fools and Horses lol! ) walking about on his hands and is fascinated with it

Yes, I've got an expandable cake cover, so that will be usefull when the time comes!

Don't quite get you about the other poster discovering they have one that's pregnant Thanks for the tips rscott!

GuyF - I've got Rosebay Willowherb in the tank and fushia, but it still doesn't seem interested in eating so far.

Dogghound - have I got a 'big one' then lol! What's the difference if you don't mind me asking? Any particular different characteristics?

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Cazzie

Dogghound - have I got a 'big one' then lol! What's the difference if you don't mind me asking? Any particular different characteristics?

Slight differences, the first D.pocellus is much smaller and more yellow in colour, its hind wing is yellow with pink margin, D.elpenor has a pink and black hindwing. best to have a good look and not a glance , yep the larger one.