Giganticus Caterpillarus

[Gnarlyoak]

Found this chap ambling along the pavement on my local high street, decided to give him a lift to my local allottment before some big footed muppet squished him.

 

Critter was abot 7-8cm long, anyone any ideas what it might be? I was thinking maybe Humming-Bird Hawk Moth, but can't seem to find a caterpillar pic of that species that matches this one!

[Arbgirl]

Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar

 

 

Its food plant is Willow Herb (just thinking about when you put him back - so he will be near some food)

Edited August 19, 2010 by Arbgirl
added a bit

[Gnarlyoak]

Ahhhh, thanks Arbgirl, mystery solved.

 

Erm, already set him free, hope he's got a good sense of smell nearest patch of willow herb maybe 10-20m away.

[dangerous brian]

Supper,mmmmmm.

[Gnarlyoak]

Supper,mmmmmm.

 

Baked or fried, and would you like chips with that sir?

[TArrryan]

Sorry for the poor quality but I found a privet hawk moth while working today, I haven't seen one for 10 years and now they suddenly appear like a plague!

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I love them hawk moths, awsome critters

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Sorry for the poor quality but I found a privet hawk moth while working today, I haven't seen one for 10 years and now they suddenly appear like a plague!

 

probably a lot down to the increased planting of native privet, its been a drive for about that long to replant natives as a rule of thumb, maybe its starting to pay off at last?

[Graham]

They must be on the move. Found this one crossing the yard today.

 

[Mark Bolam]

Freaky!

 

Found one crossing my patio 20 minutes ago! Put him on the mulch round the base of the Hawthorn at the bottom of the garden. Popped up for a snap, but Elvis has left the building. Probably off up to the woods for some willow herb!