Elephant Hawk-Moth

Another impressive looking caterpillar species spotted on the allotment by Vitalise on his plot (No.11). A much larger species than the Eyed Hawk-Moth, sighting by another of our allotmenteers back in 2014.

The Elephant Hawk-Moth (80-85mm long) caterpillar displays a very large head, which it turns-out to be its method of defense. A common garden species, the larvae can be seen late summer to mid autumn, looking for somewhere to pupate over the winter, emerging May the following year as a large (wing span 62-72mm), beautiful pink and olive green moth.

For more information visit: http://www.a-p-h-o-t-o.com/ or http://butterfly-conservation.org/

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