Look who's at my doorstep :) - Deilephila elpenor

I am curious to know did the 100 mile fire wipe out your area?

wondering if this population is gone?

… Edna Woodward, 12 July, 2017 - 6:41am

Look who's at my doorstep

WOW! What a beautiful creature! You are very lucky to see such an amazing creation! May I use the picture on my desktop?

Debbie
chatsmeeeow@yahoo.com

… chatsmeeeow, 2 October, 2011 - 2:53pm

no doubt about it altho i

darn near fainted when i saw it. it has apparantly been introduced and established in bc. holy cow i hope to see one in my lifetime!!!
lucky you!

… Edna Woodward, 28 July, 2011 - 2:03am

Oh wow

That thing is incredible. The colors are like that Chickweed Geometer moth, but in a Sphingid-sized package and even more striking!

… Andrew Meeds, 28 July, 2011 - 8:40am

Moved

Moved from ID Request.

… Mike Quinn, 28 July, 2011 - 2:02am

How about Deilephila elpenor?

surprised that it's not in the guide yet given that it's so striking! See here. I'll let others confirm. Nice find!

… Tim Loh, 28 July, 2011 - 1:44am

Thank you for your reply!

I was happily surprised to see how quickly a response came back :) Thank you for taking the time to figure this one out! She (or he) was such a beauty... and to have found her in daylight too was such a treat!

… Steph L, 28 July, 2011 - 2:02am

Elephant Hawk Moth

Definitely Deilephila elpenor "Elephant Hawk Moth" (reference Thomas Marent "Butterfly", pg 40-41. Gorgeous!

… Tara M Hutchins-Meyer, 28 July, 2011 - 1:57am

Thanks Tara!

Appreciate the confirmation - It seems like they are fairly new to British Columbia. I wonder why they were 'introduced' here as they are not originally found in Canada (was this by accident or on purpose?)...

… Steph L, 28 July, 2011 - 2:07am

Deilephila elpenor image

Hi Steph,
My Sphingidae of British Columbia webpage is at http://www.silkmoths.bizland.com/SphBritishColumbia.htm
I wish permission to post image of elpenor, credited to you, to that webpage and to the elpenor file.
I do not know if it was intentionally introduced by government in an effort to control a foodplant, or if it was accidentally introduced
through escapees that someone purchased from Europe or northern Africa.
The government did at one time introduce Hyles euphoriae in an effort to control leafy spurge (an invasive foodplant), but it does not seem logical that government would introduce a species to control a harmless host plant like Epilobium or Gallium.
Many of the Sphingidae are very strong flies, so I expect this species
will gradually find its way eastward and southward where there is Epilobium or fireweed. Hyles euphorbiae has certainly increased its range in North America.
Bill Oehlke
Please send a private email to oehlkew@islandtelecom.com

… Bill Oehlke, 28 July, 2011 - 4:09am

Thanks Bill!

Appreciate the info Bill, I'll message you when I get home regarding the photo :)

… Steph L, 28 July, 2011 - 4:23pm

Wow!

Amazing find! That is a stunning photo! Thanks for posting this beauty...but it is a mystery as to how it got there. Wow!

… George "Jeff" Boettner, 28 July, 2011 - 7:18am