Sphingidae: Macroglossinae

1992 (ABH69.017) Small Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila porcellus, (Linnaeus, 1758)

KR06863

Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
 pre-2000
 2000-2009
 2010-2019
 2020-onwards
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
 Photo © Martin Lovell
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Earith
Earith
 Photo © David Griffiths
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Great Staughton
Great Staughton
 Photo © Peter Bissell
Hemingford Grey, 31st May 2014. Light trap. Male.
Hemingford Grey, 31st May 2014. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 31st May 2014. Light trap. Male.
Hemingford Grey, 31st May 2014. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Hemingford Grey, 13th JUne 2020. Light trap. Male.
Hemingford Grey, 13th JUne 2020. Light trap. Male.
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies
Bulgaria, July 2009
Bulgaria, July 2009
 Photo © Nick Greatorex-Davies


General Information

This species is significantly smaller than the Elephant Hawk-moth and has yellow rather than green markings.

 

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: 21-25mm.
Foodplant(s): bedstraws (Galium spp.)
Flying: One generation, May-July
UK Presence: Resident
National status: Local

Habitat

Grassland, heathland, vegetated shingle.

Regional Information

Recorded in 61 (22.6%) of the 270 2km squares of Huntingdonshire.

Last recorded in August 2025

Recorded date range (Adult): 12 May to 22 August

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

Local
Larva/Leafmine:
Larva Type:
Smooth
Colours:
Grey, brown, green, black, red
No. of Proleg Pairs:
5