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Details

June 5, 2012
987 KB
2592×2600
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Comments: 262
Favourites: 2,276 [who?]


Views: 16,610 (3 today)

Camera Data

Canon
Canon EOS 1000D
1/60 second
F/7.1
60 mm
400
Jun 5, 2012, 11:11:25 AM
Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 Windows
14mm
Shop For This Camera
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:iconsarahorsomeone:
A face-on macro photograph of an Elephant Hawk Moth (Deilephila elpenor).

His name is Eric if anyone is interested. I got him as a caterpillar last year, I overwintered him as a pupa and this morning he emerged as a moth. Providing it's not tipping down with rain I'll release him this evening.

EDIT: Thanks so much for the Daily Deviation! Thanks also to everyone for all the lovely comments and the favourites; I can't reply to everyone individually but rest assured I have read every comment and really appreciate it. I'm just making an attempt to reply to people with specific questions at the moment.

FAQ (because I'm struggling to keep up with all the messages I've had since this was made a DD)

Is this really his natural colour?

Yes, elephant hawk moths are actually pink and green (the colour shown). This colour allows them to blend in with the leaves and buds of honeysuckle (the favourite food plant of the adult moths, they drink the nectar).

I shoot all my photographs in RAW so I have to choose saturation level as part of processing the RAW file into a JPEG, but I tried to keep the colours true to life.

Why is he called Eric?

1. He was named after Eric Carle, the man who wrote and illustrated "The Very Hungry Caterpillar".
2. Eric starts with an E for elephant hawk moth.
3. I thought it would be amusing to give a caterpillar a human-sounding name (and he needed a name because 'my elephant hawk moth caterpillar' was somewhat of a mouthful)

Why are elephant hawk moths called elephant hawk moths?

He might not look like an elephant now, but the caterpillars have a trunk-like mouth, and that's how the moth gets its name.

What parts of the world are they found in?

Well this one is from England, but according to Wikipedia: "The species is found throughout Britain and Ireland. Its range extends across Europe, Russia, and into China, northern parts of the Indian subcontinent, Japan and Korea (though not Taiwan). Introduced specimens have been found in British Columbia." Wikipedia page here: [link]
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Daily Deviation

Given 2012-06-07
Elephant Hawk Moth Portrait by ~Sarahorsomeone ( Suggested by *LadyxWinter and Featured by `hellfirediva )
:iconmarkie2k:
~markie2k Mar 4, 2013  Hobbyist Photographer
fantastic shot!
Reply
:iconerozja:
Mood: Love *Erozja Feb 28, 2013
Hi! :wave:

Your :iconawesome-plz: work has been FEATURED IN MY JOURNAL here: [link] :iconmyheartplz:

:iconmaroniu::iconmaroniu0::iconmaroniu1::iconmaroniu2:
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:iconricochet188:
~ricochet188 Jan 21, 2013  Hobbyist Digital Artist
I'm pretty sure I found one of these sitting on a chain link fence while I was walking to work one day. I put my finger under it and it climbed on, it sat in my hand for a few seconds before pooping all over me and flying away. :(
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:iconsarahorsomeone:
~Sarahorsomeone Jan 22, 2013  Hobbyist General Artist
This one pooped all over me when I got it to climb on my hand too. Its hooked feet were also suprisingly uncomfortable. I don't think I'll pick any up in future. ;-)
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:iconisischneider:
~isischneider Dec 26, 2012   Photographer
wow,wonderful shot.
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:iconsarahorsomeone:
~Sarahorsomeone Dec 28, 2012  Hobbyist General Artist
Thanks
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:iconeddie-chan:
~Eddie-chan Dec 17, 2012
He's beautiful!
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:iconraxel-kurai-rokoro:
~Raxel-Kurai-Rokoro Oct 13, 2012  Student
awww these are the most beautiful moths~~
i took care of an elephant hawk moth caterpillar a few years back and took it to Norfolk and back for a week on holiday, named him Munchie ^^ hehe, then he hatched one evening and i let him go, :3 it was so sweet, i really want to look after one again~~ :')
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:iconcharli-art:
~charli-art Aug 4, 2012  Student General Artist
Wow he's so pretty! I never knew we had such colourful bugs in England! :D
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:iconpkfr-photography:
!PKFR-Photography Jun 25, 2012  Hobbyist Photographer
Wow! This is just amazing.
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