Elephant Hawkmoth
ExploreInsects
Elephant Hawkmoth
Deilephila elpenor
The Elephant Hawkmoth is a colorful insect that looks like a tiny elephant! It has big eyes and beautiful green and pink wings. This moth loves to fly around flowers at night.
Habitat: Gardens
Appearance
The Elephant Hawkmoth has a stout, olive-green body with bold pink stripes and markings. Its forewings are green with pink borders, while the hindwings are a brighter pink. Its striking colors make it easily recognizable.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderLepidopteraFamilySphingidaeGenusDeilephila
Category
InsectsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
Interesting facts
Baby Elephant Hawkmoths (caterpillars) are green or brown with four big "fake eyes"!
Its long feeding tube, a proboscis, can be even longer than its entire body!
Its name likely comes from the caterpillar's flexible, trunk-like snout, not the adult moth!
One of the biggest, most beautiful moths you can spot in gardens at twilight!
Special abilities
Ability
Night Nectar Sipper
Elephant Hawkmoth can hover expertly while using its long proboscis to drink nectar from deep flowers at dusk.
Ability
Serpent Camouflage
Its caterpillar has false eye spots and can retract its head to mimic a small snake, scaring predators.
Ability
Rapid Flier
Elephant Hawkmoth has powerful wing muscles for incredibly fast, direct flight, making it a tricky insect to spot.
Measurements & details
- Wingspan
- 55-70 mm
- Size
- 50-60 mm
- Lifespan
- 7-21 days
- Flight Speed
- 35 km/h
- Leg Count
- 6
Diet & Feeding
Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on leaves of various plants.
Age differences: Larvae eat plant leaves, but adults drink nectar.
Primary Foods
- honeysuckle nectar
- valerian nectar
- willowherb leaves
- bedstraw leaves
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum
helps flowers grow when sipping nectar.
eaten by
Brown long-eared bat
Plecotus auritus
a tasty snack for hungry bats at night.
eats
Great willowherb
Epilobium hirsutum
caterpillars munch on its leaves to grow big.
eaten by
Eurasian magpie
Pica pica
birds often prey on its large caterpillars.
Traits
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Pollinator
Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.
Also known as
Elephant MothHawkmoth
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Moths are usually safe to watch, but don't touch them as they can be delicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Elephant Hawkmoth's wingspan?
55-70 mm
How big is Elephant Hawkmoth?
50-60 mm
How long does Elephant Hawkmoth live?
7-21 days
How fast can Elephant Hawkmoth fly?
35 km/h
What does Elephant Hawkmoth eat?
Adults sip nectar from flowers, while caterpillars munch on leaves of various plants.
Where is Elephant Hawkmoth usually found?
Gardens
How does Elephant Hawkmoth hunt?
Foraging
How many legs does Elephant Hawkmoth have?
6
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
