Elephant Hawk Moth - Here???

[dmuir]

I found one in the Crieff area last year too (though forgot to record it I must admit!).

[JAnderson]

Hi everyone,
Like Shona, I was amazed to find three Elephant hawk-moth caterpillars munching away on willowherb in my (overgrown) garden this week. I live near Cruden Bay - about 25 miles north of Aberdeen and about a mile inland from the North Sea coast. Every summer we have loads of Puss moth and Poplar hawk-moth caterpillars invading our poplar and willow trees but have never seen these spectacular creatures here before. Must be Global warming ........ I've tried to upload a picture - hope it works!
Regards,
Jean Anderson

[shona]

Hi Everyone!!

Thankyou very much for all the replies and support you are giving me. I can definately confirm that it is much warmer in the highlands than it used to be even 5 years ago!! Its still really cold compared to the south but there is a definate longer stretch in the summer where jackets aren't required - wouldn't go just in short sleeves though!!
If it is introducing some new and interesting species to the area then that is a good side effect of a bad situation!! (Eternal optimist me!!) Lets hope that more people are seeing some interesting creatures and continue recording them! If as someone has mentioned there is a decline in moths further south lets hope the population is maintained - even if it is migrating north!!

Many Thanks to everyone!!

Shona
xx