Unidentifed crawling object

[Jill]

Wasn't sure what to make of this critter who was crawling across our patio.  About 10cm in length.  Friend or foe?  Should we squash or save from the cats?

[Jill]

[Roy Bham UK]

We think it is an Elephant Hawk Moth, take a look at this link...
http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,4832.20.html

[Robert_Brenchley]

 looks very much like it. It lives on evening primrose; do you have any?

[Roy Bham UK]

No, as I said it was my neighbours, they were chomping on her fuchsias, pretty little things tho aren't they? ;D

[Jill]

Thanks!  Not so little tho' Roy :).  Don't have fuchsias or evening primrose but my lettuces are looking rather chomped.

[Icyberjunkie]

If it was living on Fuschia it could be a peacock, swallowtail, or hawkmoth for all like fushcia I believe and are very rare for that reason!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Peacocks are common enough, though not as common as they were. That's definitely elephant hawkmoth, which according to my book is commonly found on fuschia in gardens. Otherwise it's found on willowherb, bedstaw, grapevine, bogbean and evening primrose.

[Jill]

Yep, ours is definitely a elephant hawk moth caterpillar.  Googled and found it likes honeysuckle and petunias too (although no mention of lettuce so what's been at that?)

http://www.dgsgardening.btinternet.co.uk/elephantmth.htm

[Vez1]

I found one of those in my allotment here in Dundee l;ast weeek, kept him in a jar overnight till I identified him. he is definately an elephant hawk moth, actually looks better as a moth.

I let him go as he needs to burrow underground to transform and they eat something called willowherb.

[ipt8]

Yes elephant hawk moth and it lives on Rosebay Willow Herb I believe.

[Jane the Novice]

I too have three of these most beautiful pillars chomping through my Fuschia at an incredible rate. They are amazing to watch and I'm looking forward to seeing what they turn into. It's such a shame that my large 16year old son is petrified of moths and screams like a girl if one goes near him!