Regional Species


Small Elephant Hawk-moth / Elephant Hawk-moth
Deilophila porcellus / Deilophila elpenor

Photograph by Janet Graham

Regional Species

Two related species occur in North Wales - the moth on the right is an Elephant Hawk-moth whilst the one on the left is a Small Elephant Hawk-moth. Both are common here although the Small Elephant Hawk-moth is probably the less common of the two. The vernacular name arises from the shape of the caterpillars which have extended, proboscis-like, head ends.

Further information available from the NW Lepidoptera Database, including access to detailed records, maps, flight-time charts and photographs.