Hawk moths often have a long proboscis, coiled when not in use, which is used in nectar feeding. The adult moth hovers in front of flowers and inserts its proboscis to drink the nectar. The larvae (caterpillars) are large and often colourful, usually with a long horn near the end of the body.

What does the hawk moth caterpillar eat?

The caterpillars feed on willowherbs, fuchsia and bedstraw, and the adults feed on nectar. The caterpillars overwinter as chrysalides, hidden among low vegetation or in the soil.

Do hawk moths eat plants?

Diet: What Do Elephant Hawk-Moths Eat

Unlike the caterpillars, which feed on plant matter including bedstraws, willowherbs, fuchsias, and gooseberry, the moths live only on nectar. Very much like the butterfly, they visit from flower to flower suckling on the nectar at nighttime.