Sphingidae: Macroglossinae

1991 (ABH69.016) Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR06862

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hemingford Grey
Hemingford Grey
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Hillesden, Bucks., June 2008
Hillesden, Bucks., June 2008
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 3rd June 2020, Light trap.
Hemingford Grey, 3rd June 2020, Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 3rd June 2020, Light trap.
Hemingford Grey, 3rd June 2020, Light trap.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Monks Wood
Monks Wood
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 5th Aug. 2020. Final instar at night.
Hemingford Grey, 5th Aug. 2020. Final instar at night.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey 2013. Female.
Hemingford Grey 2013. Female.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This species has bright pink wings and body with tinges of olive green and brown.

 

Pupates in leaf litter or loose soil.

Overwinters as Overwinters as a pupa.
Both sexes readily come to light, sometimes in numbers.
Often found at rest during day

Forewing length: 28-33mm.
Foodplant(s): Rosebay Willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium), willowherbs (Epilobium spp.), bedstraws (Galium spp.)
Flying: One generation, May-August
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Common

Habitat

Grassland, hedgerows, ditches, woodland rides and gardens.

Regional Information

Recorded in 120 (44.4%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2019

Recorded date range (Adult): 16 May to 25 August

Recorded date range (Larva/Leafmine): 28 June to 08 September

Similar Species
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus


Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
With lumps, bumps or horn(s)
Colours:
Green, brown, grey, black, purple
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5