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What are these caterpillars?

OliyaOliya Posts: 228
in Wildlife gardening
I came across these beauties while weeding in the garden this morning. Can somebody tell me what they are? Thanks!


Posts

  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Interestingly they're both the same species https://butterfly-conservation.org/moths/elephant-hawk-moth
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Lucky you 😊 


    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    They are both hawk moth caterpillars. The paler green one could be a privet hawk moth caterpillar but elephant hawk moths come in that colour as well and the brown one is an elephant hawk moth caterpillar.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • OliyaOliya Posts: 228
    Thank you everyone for your responses!

    elephant hawk moth… wow!!! What a beauty!😍
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 37,906
    They are extremely beautiful Oliya.
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Lucky you!
    We don't get them here - I have hawk moth envy every time someone posts photos  :/
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I've never seen a green one that pale but I notice the one of the Butterfly Conservation page is the same. The ones in my garden have really bold markings:

    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • OliyaOliya Posts: 228
    Wow! Hopefully I’ll get to see the moths as well one day. We’ve only moved to this house yesterday:)
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