Meet the Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar
Published: 07 Sep 2023
The elephant in the room
Looking at the adult Elephant Hawk-moth, it’s hard to imagine how it earned the epithet of elephant. To solve that mystery, we have to seek out a caterpillar. When they’re fully grown, Elephant Hawk-moth are one of the largest and most distinctive caterpillars you’re likely to find.
They grow to around 8cm long, are chunky, and usually brown with darker markings that give them a slightly wrinkled look. As a result, they do look a bit like an elephant’s trunk. Their most distinctive features are the large eyespots just behind the head. These large, fake eyes help put off potential predators. To add to the effect, the caterpillars can partially retract their actual head – giving them the look of a cartoon snake.
Drop the seed bomb
Created by guerrilla gardeners, seed bombs are a fun way to brighten up your garden. Sowing wildflowers provides vital resources to support a wide range of insects, including bumblebees and butterflies.
Watch our video to find out how to make your own seed bombs.