Look what started to hatch this week: the Small Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila porcellus). This is a few weeks early. The normal flight time in Western Europe would be from late May to early July. In captivity the pupae hatch a few weeks after been taken out of the fridge where they can stay the winter. Usually there is only one flight per year. In the south and in captivity there can be a (partial) second flight in August/September. This lovely small hawkmoth has a wingspan of only four to six centimeter. Although easily recognizable, this species is very variable. The pink color can be partially or completely be replaced by a more yellowish color (f.suellus). The more arid the area where they live, the less pink they usually become. They are widespread throughout the Palearctic region, from Ireland and parts of the UK across Europe and Russia southwards to Northern Africa (Atlas Mountains). And from the Middle East, Turkey, Iraq and Iran, throughout Central Asia all the way to China. Porcellus can be locally quite common, while completely absent in many other parts of its distribution.
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Deilephila porcellus - Origin: Germany
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| Deilephila porcellus - Origin: Germany |
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| Deilephila porcellus - Origin: Germany |
