to be wary or scared of this creature?

[VeganFromSveden]

Found this in the trough filled with compost left over after pulling giant garlic bulbs from it.
Can anyone identify it for me?

Wow that's amazing! 🤯

Grow up

Bless you for not killing it. I've always wanted to see an Elephant Hawk moth caterpillar or moth and never seen either. Insects are dying out where I am in NE countryside. Moths are gone.

Are you unable to spot a lighthearted post?

We had a green one in the garden a few years ago - hoping we get some more.

I had a heart attack the first time I came across one these thinking it's huge face was staring at me 😁. I've plonked a couple of different caterpillars on my fuschia this week after finding them on the grass so good to know at least one of them is a fan of fuschias. Although the other happily munched some too

@MNetcurtains I know!! Once I got over my initial what the hell is that I got pretty attached!! He (or she) had disappeared the next morning.

I am able, yes. Are you?

It would make my day to find one of those in my garden!!

Perfect! Enjoy it's progress and , maybe, post updates?🤗

I grow nastursiums every year (which I don't actually like ) they are easy to grow and we get Cabbage White Butterfly eggs.
I am unreasonably excited that we have 3 fat caterpillars and loads of new ones . I even sowed more seeds to keep them happy with new leaves .

I'm not sure I'd be thrilled to find the Elephant Hawk Moth but I would find somewhere it'd thrive .

Awww he's cute! And he's going to be so beautiful when he's all grown up. Thank you for saving him OP and not squishing him, it's not his fault he's a bit creepy 😂

https://www.rhs.org.uk/biodiversity/elephant-hawk-moth

He'll be stunning when he emerges.

They do go around on the soil because they can't be easily spotted. Adorable buggers. Keep an eye on him maybe you can see the moth later. I had poplar hawk moths. They were so noisy when they emerged!

I had one in the garden yesterday!

For anyone with caterpillars an butterdlies, moths etc. There is butterfly conservation on twitter and they sometimes help with identification. You can send them nice pics as well.

And right timing here! 😂

I think they usually bury themselves in soil when pupating so if you want to see it hatch, maybe create an environment with soil and feed with leaves daily until not interested. It will bury itself and then emerge as a beautiful moth. It is the pink willow herb they really like

As long as he doesn't turn into Mothra

A Jersey Tiger Moth fluttered past my study window this week, showing its bright orange underwings, then settled on DH’s car and he took this photo. It was quite a substantial thing.

I hadn’t realised there were Tiger Moths that weren’t aircraft 😳😂

That’s an incredibly cute caterpillar, don’t kill it.

I wouldn’t dream of killing the critter.
altho I was a bi wtf when I almost touched it with my bare hand, I then became more curious than scared.
Those markings that give it a “face”, are fascinating.
I expect he frightens off any potential predators.
He was munching the fuchsia like mad, but not moved much right up to whe I came in to make food
ill look out for him tomorrow, and if he’s there, I’ll add to this thread.
it seems that many would like to have seen one, so I feel quite privileged.
Goodnight all, don’t let the bedbugs bite!!

I think that’s the cutest caterpillar I’ve ever seen! I’ve never seen one of those moths either. They’re gorgeous. Are they only found in certain parts of the UK?

I have no idea of where in the U.K. they can be found, but I am in East Midlands, if that helps?
Maybe other posters will tell you where they have also discovered this lovely creature.

Aww, look at his little face!

I am not a fan of the insect world, but I do temper my fear and let them be,