Elephant Hawk Moth
Deilephila elpenor
This record describes Deilephila elpenor (species). Recorded family: Sphingidae. Recorded order: Lepidoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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Terms from the source record, grouped for readability. Broad terms such as size or location are not measurements or a confirmed range.
Wikipedia reference for Deilephila elpenor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deilephila elpenor.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Lepidoptera (Butterflies and Moths)
- Superfamily
- Bombycoidea
- Family
- Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)
- Subfamily
- Macroglossinae
- Tribe
- Macroglossini
- Genus
- Deilephila
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Hedgerows, gardens, woodland edges and heathland, and on rough grassland and sand-dunes.
Seasonal Activity
The adults fly from May to July.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
The larvae feed mainly on Rosebay Willowherb but also other plants, including Bedstraw.
Additional species information
Recorded status
It is a common species in most of Britain, including Scotland where it has increased its range in recent years. In a recent survey to determine the status of all macro moths in Britain this species was classified as common.
About Butterflies and Moths: the wider group
Order-level background for Lepidoptera, the group containing Deilephila elpenor. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Lepidoptera includes approximately 180,000 described species of butterflies and moths. Moths outnumber butterflies roughly 10:1. The monarch butterfly's eastern population has declined by more than 80% since the mid-1990s, and the western population by over 95% since the 1980s. The IUCN lists the migratory monarch as Vulnerable.
Ecological role of the group
Butterflies and moths are essential indicators of ecosystem health. As caterpillars, they are a primary food source for birds - a single nest of blue tit chicks requires ~10,000 caterpillars. Adult moths pollinate many night-blooming plants.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Lepidoptera are critical pollinators. In Europe, grassland butterfly species have declined by almost 50% since the early 1990s. In the UK, three-quarters of butterflies are in decline. In the U.S., five butterfly species have gone extinct since 1950, with 29 listed as endangered.
Recorded sources for this group: IUCN Red List, Xerces Society, USFWS, PNAS, WWF. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Elephant Hawk Moth (10)
Frequently Asked Questions About Elephant Hawk Moth
How big is Elephant Hawk Moth?
60mm to 70mm (2.36" to 2.75")
Where is Elephant Hawk Moth found?
Habitat: Hedgerows, gardens, woodland edges and heathland, and on rough grassland and sand-dunes.
When is Elephant Hawk Moth active?
Elephant Hawk Moth: seasonal activity - The adults fly from May to July..
What is the life cycle of a Elephant Hawk Moth?
The larvae feed mainly on Rosebay Willowherb but also other plants, including Bedstraw.