It was a beautiful late September day and we headed into the nature reserve to meet some friends. Todd was keen to investigate the small pond and, leaving a sleeping Leo with mum, we headed round the corner with net and capture-box in hand.
While flipping logs in the usual fashion (careful to replace in the way we found them), a small party of nature hunters shuffled into view, escorted by a council worker at the reserve. They were on a mission to find animal tracks and other identifying marks that suggested certain species were present and active. We decided to accompany them and, using the chart provided, began to spot and identify various examples of footprints, hair and feathers.
On moving to the lower field and entering the woods we noticed something on the floor that, at first glance, appeared to be a stick. Something was different about this woody apparition, however, and closer inspection revealed it to be a huge caterpillar from the Hawk Moth family. At the time i wasn't sure exactly which one, but a quick check at home revealed it as Deilephila elpenor or The Elephant Hawk Moth. They like eating willowherb and bedstraw, so i assume there was plenty around. Certainly this example had eaten its fill !
Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar in typical snake pose
This species has a head adorned with four large painted eyes, effective weapons in scaring away hungry birds, and the typical Hawk Moth Caterpillar spike at the end of the body.
As a child i found an Eyed Hawk Moth - huge and beautiful like all the members of this genus - but i had never encountered a caterpillar. The wonderful thing about having kids is the new found motivation to get out and help them learn about the world. When you start looking all sorts of treasures will come your way. This one comes a close second to the Grass Snake.
The cat has just brought one in and desparately wanted to know what it was - your picture is a perfect match.
ReplyDeleteI am glad it helped Patricia :)
DeleteI love your blog, and hawk moths are incredible, I always love finding elephant hawk moths
ReplyDeleteThank you Ana that is very kind :)
ReplyDelete