This bizarre-looking larva has a snout which it can extend so that it looks something like an elephant’s trunk! The first thing most people notice is the damage caused to clothes, fabrics or carpets but there are other indicators of a moth infestation. I am trying to find what it might eat …

What Do Moths Eat? The Sphingidae are a family of moths (Lepidoptera), commonly known as hawk moths, sphinx moths, and hornworms; it includes about 1,450 species. The elephant hawk-moth is a pretty, gold-and-pink moth that can be seen at dusk in gardens, parks, woods and grassy habitats. 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. The Elephant Hawk-Moth is a species of common large pink and olive green moth that is widely spread throughout Europe. The Elephant Hawk-moth (Deilephila elpenor)- is one of the commonest hawk-moths in the British Isles, widely distributed throughout much of England, Wales, Northern Ireland and parts of Scotland.It is found in a wide range of habitats including open countryside, on the edge of woodlands and in urban gardens. Caterpillars of the Elephant Hawk-moth love munching on Rosebay Willowherb, but they will also eat Fuchsias, which might be a better option for your garden. From researching I see that it is not found in this area at all. The caterpillar of the Goat Moth doesn't eat leaves, but actually burrows into a tree trunk and eats the wood.

When threatened by a hungry bird (or unsuspecting passer-by) they retract their heads and puff out their bulbous necks. Digesting wood is a slow process, so the caterpillar takes four years to reach full size. The caterpillars look like elephant's trunks and have eyespots to scare off predators. Michael Brookes, a bird box volunteer and wildlife recorder, said: “It looks like an Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar to me. “I saw one at Tophill Low nature reserve a couple of weeks ago. It is best represented in the tropics, but species are found in every region. Caterpillars of the beautiful Scarlet Tiger moth feed on Common Comfrey. It is this elephant look, rather than its large size, that gives the moth its name.

Keep larger caterpillars, such as elephant hawk-moths, in a large ice-cream tub or similar, while smaller ones can make do with a yoghurt pot or margarine tub. In fact, the large caterpillars only pretend to be fierce. Ireland’s largest caterpillar, up to 7cm long, has the sheen of a soft velour, patterned with dark brown moth colours like a 1920s sofa. They are moderate to large in size and are distinguished among moths for their rapid, sustained flying ability. Despite their bright and colourful appearance, elephant hawk-moths (both as adults and caterpillars) are not poisonous and are harmless to both people and pets. When the elephant hawkmoth larva senses danger it can withdraw its trunk creating a slightly more bulbous head shape.