Not a flower, but a moth

This article was originally posted at Amazing Zoology. View original article at http://amzoo.in/cbrao

Image Credit: http://calderdalemoths.blogspot.com

Elephant hawk moth or scientifically called as Deilephila elpenor is a moth in the Sphingdae family. Its common name is derived from the caterpillar’s resemblance to an elephant’s trunk. It is commonly seen in central Europe and is distributed throughout the palearctic region. Its distinct olive and pink coloring makes it one of the most recognizable moths.


These moths are nocturnal and therefore feed on flowers that open or produce nectar at nighttime. The elephant hawk moth has incredibly sensitive eyes that allow it to see color even at low-light. In fact, it was one of the first species in which nocturnal color vision was documented in animals. The moth is also known for its hovering capability, which it utilizes when feeding on nectar from flowers.

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