This Blog covers nature sightings and related news in the Calderdale area.
It includes all groups - Plants, animals and fungi with links to specialist sites.
Anyone wishing to become a member of this Blog and post sightings please contact us.
If you would like to join the Halifax Scientific Society either email me or come along to the next meeting.
All welcome:
calderdalewildlifeblog@gmail.com
Please contact us about any sensitive records before posting on the blog

Thursday 15 August 2019

Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar (Deilephila elpenor)



After years of searching for one these on Rosebay willowherb, this little chap crawled right past me on the pavement at Cow Green in Halifax town centre!

4 comments:

  1. Wonderful creature! Remember this post from June, also in an urban context http://calderdale-wildlife.blogspot.com/2019/06/elephant-hawk-moth.html

    ReplyDelete
  2. A great find. I'd love to track one down, though I have seen others finds. I do get the moths in the trap occasionally, they are fantastic too.

    ReplyDelete
  3. They are big aren't they. I once took one home and it escaped and fell into a tub of water. I assumed it was drowned, but it came back to life. Are you going to rear this one through to the moth stage, Sarah?

    ReplyDelete
  4. I took it back to Luddenden and popped it next to some Rosebay Willow and cleavers. Charlie said it was probably ready to burrow underground to pupate. Never thought of trying to rear it. Maybe next time if I ever find another one!

    ReplyDelete