Caterpillar of Elephant Hawkmoth on grapevine in domestic garden England UK showing markings to frighten off predators.
The larva is about 75 millimetres ( in) long, green and brown in colour. Like most hawk moth caterpillars, they have a backward curving spine or "horn" on the final abdominal segment. The anterior of the caterpillar appears to have the shape of a trunk-like snout. It is this elephant look, rather than its large size, that gives the moth its name. When startled, the caterpillar draws its trunk into its foremost body segment. This posture resembles a snake with a large head and four large eye-like patches. Caterpillars are preyed upon by birds, but these shy away (at least for some time) from caterpillars in "snake" pose. It is not known whether the birds take the caterpillar to actually resemble a snake, or are frightened by the sudden change of a familiar prey item into an unusual and boldly-patterned shape.[2] The preferred food plants of the caterpillar are willowherb (Epilobium) and bedstraw (Galium), though it will also take fuchsias.
Size: 3264px × 4896px
Location: Gloucestershire England UK
Photo credit: © A ROOM WITH VIEWS / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: arwv, august, camouflage, caterpillar, deilephila, elephant, elpenor, england, garden, grapevine, hawkmoth, insects, larva, leaves, markings, moth, stage, stems, vine
