Has anyone seen one of these?

[Bill HH]

This little critter invades my fuschias annualy, actualy its not so little either, this one was getting on for 2 1/2 inches long. His nose extends into a sort of trunk, hence the name, I couldnt get him to do it for the camera though.

The Elephant Hawk Moth.




I was so amazed at this creature it inspired me to write a poem..........

I知 ugly


I知 an elephant hawk moth grub.
People say I知 ugly which I don稚 think is true
I知 eating Billy痴 fuchsias, heheheeh.
That値l never do.

I guess my mother loved me.
But she just flew away.
She was spectacularly lovely
Or so the other bugs say

But I知 just lonely and ugly.
It痴 hard, I have to say.
I wish I looked just like my mom.
Sighhhhhh maybe one day?

Bill Harborne

[rustylady]

Love your poem Bill. Love these caterpillars too, they're spectacular aren't they?

[veggiechicken]

Love the poem Bill. Makes me think of Burl Ives and the Ugly Bug Ball.
I'd like one as a pet - and they can do tricks - according to this thread, last year http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ead_67632.html

[FunkyFlowerpot]

They look like they have teddy bear faces!

You're The grapevines very own Poet Laureate!




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[lottie dolly]

Good poem that,well done,they are a very fascinating things to see,we had one a couple of years ago at the lottie,

[Thelma Sanders]

if you get a few of those on a fuschia plant, before you know it there are no leaves left

I'm busy moving them, as fast as I see them, to the weeds down the railway line

[mothhawk]

I get them on my hardy fuchsias too, but I don't mind, they are one of the few caterpillars I love to see in the garden, 'cos I know they won't eat the veg

The adult moth is lovely too. They like willowherb too, so should like it down by the railway tracks, Thelma, willowherb always seems to grow by railway lines.

[Thelma Sanders]

Yup! that's why I put them there