Elephant Hawk-moth
by
Shop
Deilephila elpenor
Common & widespread all over Britain.
Larvae have a backward-curving spine or "horn" that is the same colour as their body on the final abdominal segment.
The Larvae feeds on Rosebay Willowherb & other plants including Bedstraw.
Two pink lines also run through the wings.
The hindwings have a black inner half that gradually turns pink from the middle outwards.
It is outlined by white fringes.
The head, thorax, and body are also olive-brown in colour with pink markings throughout.
Adults become active from May to early August.
Its peak activity time is between June and September.
Adults visit flowers and feed on the nectar at night, and are attracted to plants such as Honeysuckle (Lonicera).