What in Blue Blazes ....
 

I was going to ask everyone what *the hell* this is:

http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/la..._zpscfb7f269.j
pg.html

but my wife used something called Google to find out that it's
apparently the larva of an Elephant Hawk Moth.

Nonetheless I thought I'd share it with you ... never in my quite long
gardening life have I seen anything so revolting. The glove it sits on
is empty ... I couldn't even pick it up in a glove!

[I didn't squash it, of course! Put it back under the hedge it had
rolled from.]

John

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

On 2014-08-06 16:48:16 +0000, Another John said:

http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/la..._zpscfb7f269.j
pg.html

You lucky thing! Haven't seen one of those yet this year but we live in
hope. The moth is absolutely gorgeous.
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

In article ,
Sacha wrote:

On 2014-08-06 16:48:16 +0000, Another John said:

http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/la..._zpscfb7f269.j
pg.html

You lucky thing! Haven't seen one of those yet this year but we live in
hope. The moth is absolutely gorgeous.

I'm surprised then: you're in Sunny Devon, we are in
not-quite-so-tropical Northumberland!

J.

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

Another John wrote:

I was going to ask everyone what *the hell* this is:

but my wife used something called Google to find out that it's
apparently the larva of an Elephant Hawk Moth.

Got any fuchsias about? They love to strip them of leaves&flowers
overnight ...

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

On 2014-08-06 16:55:02 +0000, Another John said:

In article ,
Sacha wrote:

On 2014-08-06 16:48:16 +0000, Another John said:

http://s1153.photobucket.com/user/la..._zpscfb7f269.j
pg.html

You lucky thing! Haven't seen one of those yet this year but we live in
hope. The moth is absolutely gorgeous.

I'm surprised then: you're in Sunny Devon, we are in
not-quite-so-tropical Northumberland!

J.

I last saw one when we were growing Salvia involucrata in a border
outside the kitchen window. That plant's not there now, so maybe they
don't like what's on offer!
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

On 07/08/2014 00:30, Andy Burns wrote:
Another John wrote:

I was going to ask everyone what *the hell* this is:

but my wife used something called Google to find out that it's
apparently the larva of an Elephant Hawk Moth.

Got any fuchsias about? They love to strip them of leaves&flowers
overnight ...


I don't know what the fuss is all about, over the years I've had various
of the Hawk moth caterpillars and there has never been any great damage,
they are fascinating creatures and the moths are well worth having around.
Think your self lucky.
incidentally the link doesn't open for me.

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

"David Hill" wrote in message ...

On 07/08/2014 00:30, Andy Burns wrote:
Another John wrote:

I was going to ask everyone what *the hell* this is:

but my wife used something called Google to find out that it's
apparently the larva of an Elephant Hawk Moth.

Got any fuchsias about? They love to strip them of leaves&flowers
overnight ...


I don't know what the fuss is all about, over the years I've had various
of the Hawk moth caterpillars and there has never been any great damage,
they are fascinating creatures and the moths are well worth having around.
Think your self lucky.
incidentally the link doesn't open for me.
==================================================

The link didn't work for me either, but it didn't matter I know what they
look like having taken photos of them in my neighbour's garden, AND the
stripped Fuchsias as well, but the funny thing is that theirs were stripped
but ours, on the other side of the fence, less that 3 feet away, were OK.
Perhaps it's a certain variety they go for?????


Mike

..................................................
For those ex Royal Navy.
http://angelradioisleofwight.moonfru...ive/4574468641
7.30 – 8.00 pm Wednesday 13th August 2014
‘From the Crowe’s Nest’

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

David Hill wrote:

I don't know what the fuss is all about, over the years I've had various
of the Hawk moth caterpillars and there has never been any great damage,
they are fascinating creatures and the moths are well worth having around.
Think your self lucky.

I wouldn't mind if they just had a quick nibble and then moved on, but a
nice 18" fuchsia was literally reduced to twigs and caterpillar turds
overnight, it was roaming about looking for seconds.

What in Blue Blazes ....
 

"Andy Burns" wrote in message
o.uk...

David Hill wrote:

I don't know what the fuss is all about, over the years I've had various
of the Hawk moth caterpillars and there has never been any great damage,
they are fascinating creatures and the moths are well worth having around.
Think your self lucky.

I wouldn't mind if they just had a quick nibble and then moved on, but a
nice 18" fuchsia was literally reduced to twigs and caterpillar turds
overnight, it was roaming about looking for seconds.
=================================================

"a nice 18" fuchsia" ................ and I think there lies the answer as
to why some get them and some don't. Ours are tough old hardy type. The one
near our neighbours has a 4' height and spread. The one in the front garden,
which we 'prune' with the electric hedge trimmer, has a 7 ft spread and 5 ft
height. It is against the path and people stop to admire it.

But the Hawk Moths give it a miss!!!


Mike


..................................................
For those ex Royal Navy.
http://angelradioisleofwight.moonfru...ive/4574468641
7.30 – 8.00 pm Wednesday 13th August 2014
‘From the Crowe’s Nest’