Elephant hawk-moth caterpillar

Gardens, woodland edges, hedgerows, grasslands, and other areas with rosebay willowherb or related host plants. Common across much of Europe and parts of temperate Asia.

Larvae chew leaves of rosebay willowherb, bedstraw, and related plants. Adults feed on nectar, especially from tubular flowers, using a long proboscis.

The caterpillar often inflates its front end and displays eye-like markings when disturbed, resembling a small snake. It feeds mainly at night, then pupates in leaf litter or loose soil; adults are nocturnal fliers.

Harmless to humans and non-stinging. It supports food webs as prey and pollinates flowers as an adult; heavy infestations may defoliate host plants, though this is uncommon.