Small Elephant hawkmoth

Deilephila porcellus (Linnaeus, 1758)

Distribution. A Transpalearctic species, distributed from North Africa through the temperate zone of Eurasia to Mongolia, Transbaikalia, Yakutia, China and the Amur region. Widespread throughout Ukraine.

Bionomics. A mesophilic meadow species, a characteristic inhabitant of meadows, forest edges and clearings, as well as fallows and wastelands. In most of the territory of Ukraine – univoltine, with an extended flight period of the imago from May to July. In the south – bivoltine and adults fly from April to June and from July to September. Active in the evening twilight and at night, they feed on flower nectar. The female lays a total of about a hundred eggs, per one on the leaves or young shoots of food plants. Caterpillars live singly, mainly on various species of bedstraw (Galium), less often also on willowherb (Epilobium), common and wild grapes (Vitis, Parthenocissus), Lythrum, Oenothera, etc. Old caterpillars are active at night, and during the day they hide on the ground near the food plant. The caterpillars have similar protective coloration as in the previous species and similar behavior in case of danger. They pupate in a mesh-like cocoon in the litter or the top layer of the soil.

Abundance and Conservation. In Ukraine, it is a common species throughout the territory, with a stable, fairly high abundance, which does not cause concern. The species does not require special conservation measures.