Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor)
Taxonomy |
Kingdom: | Phylum: | Class: | Order: | Family: | Genus: | Species: |
Animalia | Arthropoda | Insecta | Lepidoptera | Sphingidae | Deilephila | D. elpenor |
Hawk-moths are also known as Sphinx-moths (family:Sphingidae) and are among the biggest moths in Europe. In the Benelux alone there are four species of Hawk-moths reaching a span of well over 10 centimeters. The Elephant Hawk-moth is about half that size, but that means that it is just as big as the Peacock is! The colouring of the Elephant Hawk-moth is spectatular and seems to shimmer with green and red when in motion.
The carterpillar of the Elephant Hawk-moth is also stunning. Big 'eyes' on top of the body and the length of 7,5 cm make it an impressive and somewhat scary creature.