Today while I was doing a job in Hoboken New Jersey U.S.A. ( I am a landscaper ) I found what I identified as a Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar. From researching I see that it is not found in this area at all. Has anyone ever heard of this species being in this area? I am trying to find what it might eat in my area. I have seen people suggest "Willowherb" and "bedstraw" but I don't think I can find that in my area. I also saw Fusia which I should be able to muster. Any helpful hints on how to keep. I believe it should be looking to pupate right about now. I am looking to get into keeping insects, especially moths and butterflies. I used to be an avid reptile keeper so I shouldn't have a problem. Anyway any advice is welcome.
Hopefully you took photos of the caterpillar. You can submit them to your local coordinator on the http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/gallery website so they can verify that it is the caterpillar for the Elephant Hawk Moth - Deilephila elpenor. Since it is not normally found in the U.S. it should be of interest to them....they can also determine if it could be a look-alike caterpillar that is native to the U.S.
Yes I did take a photo and it really looks just like it. Check it out! I also emailed my regional coordinator. Elephant Hawk Moth Pic 2 ? ( photo / image / picture from Michaelflac's Garden )
Well it certainly looks just like an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpiller. How exciting!! :-D Here are the plants it likes to feed on: Willowherbs and Bedstraws, Enchanter's-nightshade, Fuchsias and Himalayan Balsam.
