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Hawk-moth caterpillars have one thing in common: they're pretty impressive. Usually large, distinctively marked and with a characteristic 'horn' at the tail end, they're a good group to get to grips with when learning who's who. Which of these commonly encountered species have you spotted?
They may look like stingers, but the horns on hawk-moth caterpillar tails are actually soft and harmless. It's thought they could act as a decoy for hungry predators, protecting the head end from attack, but no one is really sure.
A thick, brown caterpillar with a small, stubby horn at the tail. The elephant hawk-moth gets its name from the trunk-like head which retracts and extends from its bulbous neck. When threatened it swells its neck, making its four large eye spots more prominent. Some forms can be bright green.
Up to 80mm in length when fully grown.
July - September. Often spotted in late summer undulating across paths in search of somewhere to pupate.
Common and widespread across much of the UK, although less frequent in Scotland and the north of England. Its range is however expanding. Found in almost all habitats, including woodlands, hedgerows and gardens.
Willowherbs, fuchsias, Himalayan balsam, bedstraws and enchanter's nightshade.
Similar at first glance to its larger cousin (above) but lacking the tail horn of other hawk-moths. The eye spots have reddish centres and the second set are much smaller than the first.
Up to 60mm in length when fully grown.
July - September.
Most common across England and Wales, becoming more scarce north of the Humber and in Northern Ireland. Found mainly in grassy habitats, heathland and sometimes gardens.
Mainly bedstraws but sometimes also rosebay willowherb.
The poplar hawk-moth has a light green or yellowish-green caterpillar covered in dense yellow speckles. Look for pale yellow stripes that cut diagonally across the body and a yellow tail horn. Some forms also have pinkish-red splotches along the body.
Up to 70mm in length when fully grown.
July - September.
Thought to be our commonest hawk-moth. Widespread across the UK in most habitats including woodlands, parks and gardens.
This hefty chap is pretty unmistakable. The privet hawk-moth caterpillar has a bright green body with distinctive white and purple diagonal stripes. The large tail horn is curved and black-tipped. Also look for the dark ring around the head.
Up to 85mm in length when fully grown.
June - August.
Common across the south of England, parts of Wales and East Anglia, becoming scarce further north. Absent from Northern Ireland and Scotland. Found in a number of habitats including woodland, hedgerows, parks and gardens.
Mainly feeds on privet but also ash, lilac, honeysuckle, holly, guelder rose and some garden plants.
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Appears similar to the poplar hawk-moth at first glance but can be told apart by the tail horn, which is blue on top and often red and yellow underneath. Once mature and ready to pupate the body turns a darker, greyish-pink colour.
Up to 65mm in length when fully grown.
July - September. Often encountered on the ground in later summer when searching for somewhere to pupate.
Common across most of England and Wales south of the Humber but absent from Scotland and Northern Ireland. Found in woodland, parks and gardens as well as on street trees in urban areas.
Limes (as the name suggests) but also a range of other deciduous trees including birch, elm, alder and London plane.
A green caterpillar with a blue-ish tail horn when mature. Can be told apart from the lime hawk-moth caterpillar (above) by its white diagonal stripes along the body. Look also for the bright yellow collar bordering the flat, triangular head.
Up to 75mm in length when fully grown.
June - September.
Common and widespread across England and Wales, becoming more scarce in Northern Ireland. Mostly absent from Scotland. Found in woodland, orchards, parks, gardens and riverside habitats where willows are found.
Mainly willows, sallows and apples but also aspen and poplar.
When mature the pine hawk-moth caterpillar has a dark green body with a brown stripe along the back and broken creamy lines along its sides. The head is also brown and the tail horn black.
Up to 80mm in length when fully grown.
July - September.
Most common in south east England and East Anglia, becoming more scarce in central England. Mostly absent from Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. Found in coniferous woodland, heathland and sometimes gardens.
Mostly feeds on the more mature needles of Scots pine, but occasionally other pines and spruces.
Hummingbird hawk-moths are not able to survive our cold winters. New arrivals each summer keep the UK population topped up.
Mostly green with with a thick, creamy yellow stripe along the side and a white line above. The tail horn is black and yellow tipped when mature.
Up to 55mm in length when fully grown.
Mainly encountered in July and August.
Adult hummingbird hawk-moths are summer migrants to the UK and can be encountered almost anywhere. Look for their caterpillars where their favourite foodplants are found.
Bedstraws and wild madder.
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Amy Lewis • 21 Jun 2021
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