Elephant Hawkmoth
Deilephila elpenor
The caterpillar gets its name because its snout-like head resembles an elephant's trunk, and when threatened, it swells to mimic a snake with realistic eyespots.
- Scientific name
- Deilephila elpenor
- Taxonomy
- Animalia › Arthropoda › Insecta › Lepidoptera › Sphingidae › Deilephila
- IUCN Red List status
- Least Concern
- Population trend
- stable
- Biome
- grassland
- Habitat
- Woodland edges, rough grasslands, gardens, hedgerows, and waste ground.
- Diet
- Adults feed on nectar from deep-throated flowers like honeysuckle; caterpillars eat willowherb, bedstraw, and fuchsia.
- Range
- Europe, Asia, North Africa
- Size
- Wingspan of 60-72 mm
- Lifespan
- 10-12 months (mostly as larva/pupa; adults live 4-5 weeks)
- Active
- nocturnal
- Threats
- Habitat loss, pesticide use, and light pollution disrupting nocturnal navigation and mating.
- Safe to approach?
- Harmless. If you spot this moth at dusk, maintain a respectful distance of 1-2 feet to watch it hover and feed on nectar-rich flowers. If it lands on you, let it rest; it cannot bite or sting. If a caterpillar is found, do not disturb its defensive 'snake' posture.
Deilephila elpenor , also known as the elephant hawk moth , is a moth in the Sphingdae family. Its common name is derived from the caterpillar's resemblance to an elephant's trunk. It is most common in central Europe and is distributed throughout the palearctic region. Its distinct olive and pink coloring makes it one of the most recognizable moths in its range. However, it is quite easy to confuse the elephant hawk moth with the small elephant hawk...
Photo: Azamat A. Totikov, CC-BY, via iNaturalist
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