That would be of the hawk-moth variety, Deilephila elpenor. The elephant in the name is not due to its size, though with a wingspan of one and half to two and half inches (45-60mm) it is quite large, but to the appearance of its caterpillar which has a trunk-like protuberance. The caterpillars like to feed on Rosebay Willowherb and bedstraws found in rough grassland, while the moth prefers to sup on the wing, from dusk till dawn, feeding at tubular flowers such as honeysuckle.
Before this particular Elephant hawk-moth was in the garden, it was in the utility room. We found it on the window blind, but decided it would be better off outside with the honeysuckle. It did not react to being moved or having its photo taken. In fact I think it was asleep. A very striking livery though, as moth colour schemes go.
That’s a beauty!
Isn’t it just!
Wow, I’ve never seen anything like that! Thanks for sharing. What a beauty!
janet
My pleasure, Janet.
Wonderful photos Tish!
Many thanks, Pete.
A handsome chap! Better out than in 😊
Indeed. It would’ve been starvation rations otherwise.
Wow, can’t believe the pink-ish colour on the wings
It’s rather stunning, isn’t it.
Ohh- beautiful Tish!
Thank you, Hannah.
love learning how names are given and the pink is just beautiful –
also – the moth has a small airplane resemblance.
It does look like a jet plane doesn’t it.
Wow! Thanks for introducing me to this beautiful creature Tish. 🙂
Happy to do that, Su.
That’s a lovely moth. I also released one (not as pretty, but big) which appeared to be asleep on a wall in the house! I put it outside but it didn’t move for a long time.
Great shot. A Tembo moth? 😉
Ha! A tembo moth it is 🙂
Lovely colours for a moth, as you say, Tish.
The first I ever saw this colour combination was quite young on Princess Margaret. So rare a combination that I have not forgotten it! I actually found the photo online but I am unable to attach it here! Too bad. Anyway, we know she got it from the moth and not the other way around!
Thanks. Sarah
That’s a very intriguing association, Sarah – the colours of a moth and a princess 🙂
I found the photo, Tish. It is the 33rd of 75 in an issue of Town and Country of who knows when!
The magazine refers to her hat as ‘brown’. But I hope you will agree with me that it is as much pink as brown and a quite ravishing colour. A little less pink that the elephant moth but still pink enough for me to have remembered it all these years as pink! The moth’s combination, as you noted is still rare! Quite lovely.
Interesting to think that none of these colours which you bring to us so often…..none of them are for us! They are for their interacting species. Puts us in our place?!
I hope this photo brings you a smiling memory! Sarah
https://www.townandcountrymag.com/style/fashion-trends/g22801016/princess-margaret-fashion-style/?slide=31
That brown is indeed also a striking shade of pink, Sarah. But what a fashion history parade you given me here, and what a peach Princess M was in 1960 – 1.
Wow! 😀 … sooner or later everything ends up on the internet. 🙂
Sarah is a whizz at finding intriguing cultural assemblages 🙂
I am in awe of it. Good find, Tish.
That is a good description. It IS awe-inspiring.
Thanks Tish Farrell, It’s a pleasant color combination, looks awesome.
Thank you.
Mam, you are welcome
Great images of the moth.
Thanks, Pete.
Spectacular!
Super shots, Miss T. Well done.
Never encountered one of these moths down here.
Oh, and on the colour combo. I seem to remember there was a toffee bar with similar colours but for the life of me I can’t remember the name. Raspberry ripple or something.
Oh yes, that’s a blast from the past, making my taste buds tingle – possibly not in a good way. I have no idea what it was called either.
Thank you, kind sir 🙂
They aren’t as colourful as their cousins, but this one’s an exception. 🙂 … what a beauty.
It is! And it eats honeysuckle nectar, which makes it more appealing still.
Very pretty!
The elephant hawk-moth is really beautiful.
Thanks for bringing it to my attention.
Happy to provide the moth 🙂