The Big Caterpillar

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.

As summer draws to a close the pond is becoming progressively more quiet. The lily pads sway silently in the breeze and, whilst it is still possible to find the odd pond skater or water boatman, the area has the distinct feel of a season preparing to wave goodbye. Today we captured some water fleas, but not much else. 

To the left of the pond, however, the meadow has been cut back to remove the excessive summer growth and we were able to flip some wooden planks and note a variety of insects.

Next stop the log pile and we found two froglets and two toadlets -  all enjoying the damp, cool atmosphere beneath a stick pile.

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.