Help with Elephant hawk moth caterpillar. (1 Viewer)

[Lupingirl]

Hello everybody, I’m new to this site. I have got the above in my garden. Looks healthy. Problem is the fireweed/ willow herb is nearly gone. I’ve picked some some another area but not much there and rain is breaking it down quickly. I have an orange cape hardy fuchsias in the front garden. Will it eat them if I pick some. Don’t want to move it really as in a nice little sheltered spot. I so want the little fella to pupate and survive over winter.I’ve attached a photo of the fuchsia I hope it will eat. Thankyou.

 

[Richard D]

I'm no expert but fuchsia is supposedly suitable - no idea whether all varieties are consumed.

 

[Lupingirl]

Thankyou, I’ll give it a go and collect any willow herb I see on my dog walks.

 

[Richard D]

Thankyou, I’ll give it a go and collect any willow herb I see on my dog walks.

Bedstraw is a common food source too if you've got any patches of rough ground near by.

 

[foresttwitcher]

I've certainly found them feeding on the fuchsias in my garden.

 

[Lupingirl]

Bedstraw is a common food source too if you've got any patches of rough ground near by.

I’ll keep a look out. Thankyou. Here in the northwest the wild flowers seem to finish mid September unless we are particularly lucky with the weather. ( which we havnt been this year) as you probably know.

 

[Lupingirl]

I've certainly found them feeding on the fuchsias in my garden.

I’m going to plant a couple for next year.You are lucky to see them. I’ve only seen two caterpillars before, one was damaged as if a bird had dropped it mid flight. I usually see one or two moths a year but unfortunately not one this year.Thankyou.

 

[foresttwitcher]

It was a few years ago now - I found 2 or 3 caterpillars and an adult.

 

[Lupingirl]

They are beautiful. It’s strange because I keep reading how common they are. I live near farmland and woodland but not common to me.

 

[Lisa W]

Hi, welcome to the forum on behalf of the of the staff and moderators. I think you will find us a friendly and helpful group. Seems like you have been given some good options.

 

[Chris G6 UXU]

Hello and welcome to the forum, enjoy and all the best. Buddleia flower's are alway's a butterflie's favourite's at this time of year.

 

[Julie50]

Good luck!

 

[Kits]

Welcome to Birdforum. I hope you enjoy your visits.

 

[delia todd]

Hi Lupingirl and a warm welcome from me too. Sadly I've never seen an Elephant Hawk Moth, nor the caterpillar. Good luck with attracting them.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

 

[Fritz73]

Hola! Welcome to Birdforum

 

[Lupingirl]

Hi Lupingirl and a warm welcome from me too. Sadly I've never seen an Elephant Hawk Moth, nor the caterpillar. Good luck with attracting them.

I'm sure you will enjoy it here and I hope to hear about all the birds you see when out and about.

Thankyou for your warm reply. I’ve been checking on him everyday but can’t see him today. I’ll be out with more fuchsias and my head torch tonight.🤣🤣