Hawk Moths are the moths that get noticed most by the non-obsessed, and I think that these two show why.
On the right is a nice fresh Elephant
Hawkmoth (
Deilephila elpenor). The English name is derived from the
caterpillar's suposed resemblance to an elephant's trunk. The natural food plant of the larvae is
Rosebay Willowherb (
Epilobium angustifolium), but also other plants as well, including
Bedstraw (
Galium). For some reason in gardens they are very partial to
fuschia bushes.
On the left is the slightly smaller, Small Elephant Hawkmoth (D. elpenor). It is brightly coloured but more locally distributed than its larger relative, although it occurs widely in Britain. It prefers chalky districts, so it is quite at home in St Margaret's. The larvae, are similar to those of the Elephant Hawkmoth feed mostly on bedstraw (Galium). I don't know if it too is fond of Fuschias.
These were photographed in my Garden in St Margaret's at Cliffe on June 1st, having been caught overnight.
