Michaelflac
New Jersey
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 2:45 am Post subject: Elephant Hawk Moth |
|
Today while I was doing a job in Hoboken New Jersey U.S.A. ( I am a landscaper ) I found what I identified as a Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar. From researching I see that it is not found in this area at all. Has anyone ever heard of this species being in this area? I am trying to find what it might eat in my area. I have seen people suggest "Willowherb" and "bedstraw" but I don't think I can find that in my area. I also saw Fusia which I should be able to muster. Any helpful hints on how to keep. I believe it should be looking to pupate right about now. I am looking to get into keeping insects, especially moths and butterflies. I used to be an avid reptile keeper so I shouldn't have a problem. Anyway any advice is welcome.
To hide these ads please register / sign in
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni
 Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11244
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:02 am Post subject: |
|
Hopefully you took photos of the caterpillar. You can submit them to your local coordinator on the http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/gallery website so they can verify that it is the caterpillar for the Elephant Hawk Moth - Deilephila elpenor.
Since it is not normally found in the U.S. it should be of interest to them....they can also determine if it could be a look-alike caterpillar that is native to the U.S.
_________________
To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
George Santayana
|
|
| Back to top |
|
Michaelflac
New Jersey
Posts: 2
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:45 am Post subject: |
|
Yes I did take a photo and it really looks just like it. Check it out! I also emailed my regional coordinator.
Elephant Hawk Moth Pic 2 ? ( photo / image / picture from Michaelflac's Garden )
|
|
| Back to top |
|
toni
Administrator
Plants Moderator
Regular Plants Contributor
North Texas, Zone 8a
Posts: 11244
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 4:51 am Post subject: |
|
Let us know what the coordinator says, this could be really interesting.
_________________
To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with Spring ----
George Santayana
|
|
| Back to top |
|
eileen
Forum Moderator
Scotland
Posts: 18013
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 9:13 am Post subject: |
|
Well it certainly looks just like an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpiller. How exciting!! 
Here are the plants it likes to feed on: Willowherbs and Bedstraws, Enchanter's-nightshade, Fuchsias and Himalayan Balsam.
_________________
|
|
| Back to top |
|
glendann
Texas
Posts: 9228
|
| Posted: Wed Aug 11, 2010 5:44 pm Post subject: |
|
They remind me so much of the horn cats.Just a different color.
_________________
'Life is not measured by the breaths we take,
but by the moments that take our breath away.'
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
