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Elephant Hawk-moth · Field Guide · Things With Wings

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Elephant Hawk-moth

Deilephila elpenor

Not yet photographed by the community

Stunning pink-and-olive hawk-moth; caterpillar resembles an elephant.

Species Profile

Green List (not of conservation concern in the UK)

Lifespan: 4–6 weeks as an adult moth
Size & Weight: Wingspan 34–38 mm; body length approximately 25–27 mm
Habitat: Gardens, woodland edges, parks, and areas with abundant willowherb and bedstraw plants, from lowland to upland regions.
UK Distribution: Found throughout England, Wales, and southern Scotland; generally resident with population increases in late summer from continental migrants.
Diet: Adults feed on nectar from a variety of flowers including honeysuckle, bedstraw, and valerian, particularly at dusk and dawn.
Predators: Birds, spiders, and small mammals; nocturnal habits provide protection from most daytime predators.
Mating Season: May to September, with two broods per year in the UK
Breeding: Females lay eggs singly on or near food plants; caterpillars take 4–6 weeks to develop; pupation occurs in loose cocoons in soil or leaf litter.
Behaviour: Named for the eyespots on the caterpillar's thorax resembling an elephant's face, a defence mechanism when threatened. Adults are strongly nocturnal and attracted to lights. Males engage in hill-topping behaviour during warm afternoons.

Sources and editorial status

The short identification summary comes from the Things With Wings species catalogue. The extended species profile is AI-assisted and has not been individually reviewed by a wildlife expert, so verify important identification or conservation details with the specialist sources below.

Profile generated 22 June 2026

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