Elephant's Head

Peeking through the rosebay willowherb on the edge of a small lake I really just couldn't believe my luck this morning! It had looked like a brown leaf or twig but on closer examination pulling the stem of the plant towards me, it was obviously a caterpillar. Camera in one hand stem in the other was tricky so I was just glad the sun was peeking out from behind a cloud to get some speed up.

Three inches long, four amazing large eye patches and a net like pattern along the body - very impressive. The 'elephant' part of the name comes from the trunk like section just behind the head which can be retracted or extended as a defensive tactic. This in turn makes the head look huge and formidable when face to face with a predator. They also have a backward curving spine or horn.

Fascinating!! Am still smiling feeling quite pleased with myself for finding it :)

It will now pupate in the ground and hatch next May emerging as an adult moth.