Sphingidae

69.016 Elephant Hawk-moth Deilephila elpenor (Linnaeus, 1758)

Common

Similar species:

Forewing: 28 to 33mm

Habitats: Cleared woodland, previously burnt areas where Rosebay Willowherb is present, downland, heathland, wasteland, sand-dunes, hedgerows, gardens, ditches, woodland rides and clearings.

Habits: The moth flies from dusk, comes to light and nectars at tubular flowered plants such as Honeysuckle. It occasionally comes to sugar.

Foodplant: The larva feeds at night on Rosebay Willowherb, Great Willowherb, other willowherbs, Enchanter's Nightshade, Fuschia and Himalayan Balsam. It sometimes feeds on bedstraws and other low-growing plants. There are records of it basking in sunshine in the late afternoon. It pupates in the leaf litter or just under the soil.