Identification please.

Ashanta73 · #1 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 08:22 PM

Hi,

Found this on my garden path today and also saw a less developed one on my patio about 10 days ago. Any thoughts? Was about 3 inches long.

Thanks

Deer Stalker · #2 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 08:25 PM

Hi Ashanta73, Welcome to WAB.

Its the caterpillar of the Elephant Hawkmoth. Alot of them around at the mo looking for somewhere to pupate.

Ashanta73 · #3 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 08:37 PM

Thanks for that. Well out of my field of expertise so was a little worried! We have 2 cats that will no doubt be interested in them. No danger to the cats is there?

JaySteel · #4 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 09:39 PM

I would say that there's no danger to cats but I'm not an expert on such matters. The Elephant Hawk Moth feeds mainly on Willow Herbs or Fuchsias. These plants are not poisonous, so I doubt the caterpilar is poisonous either to cats or anything else.

Strange question for the reptile / amphibian forum though! lol

Ashanta73 · #5 (**permalink**) 30-08-2009, 10:45 PM

Thanks!
Haven't got a clue on such matters and thought it may have been a snake!

Tracey.A · #6 (**permalink**) 31-08-2009, 12:55 AM

These catterpillars are so unusual and big that I'm not surprised you thought it was some sort of odd looking snake. The first time I saw one I knew what it was, because I had been checking out pics of the Elephant hawk moth, but the size and appearance made me stop in my tracks.

Tracey