Elephant hawk-moth caterpillar, Deilephila elpenor
Elephant hawk-moth caterpillar, Deilephila elpenor (submitted by NaturePlus user Sleepy)
The elephant hawk-moth caterpillar can be green or brown with a trunk-like snout, hence its name.
On its tail, it has a small spike or horn. There are eye-like markings on its head and, as a defence mechanism, it mimics a snake by pulling back its head.
This caterpillar can grow up to 7.5cm in length and feeds mostly on willow herbs and fuchsia plants in gardens.
