help identify large caterpiller (uk)

[Neil Jones]

In article <1998082121493300.RAA29922 at ladder03.news.aol.com>
           ilweran at aol.com "Ilweran" writes:

> the caterpiller is about one and a half inches long.It has two eye spots on
> each side  just behind what I would say was its head. It has a spur on its back
> end. Colour wise its sort of black with creamy, mottled markings, almost like a
> snake.
> 
> Ilweran
> *******************
> donT geT senTimental. it always ends up dRRiveLLLL.  one day.   i am
> goingtogrow wings.   a chemichal reaCtion. hysterical & useless. hysterical
> &let down and hanging around. crushed like a bug in the ground.

Sounds like an elephant hawk moth caterpillar to me. The moth is a gorgeous
pink creature. It gets its name form the catepillar's snout looking
like and elephant's trunk. It is a common species that often gets noticed
because of its odd looks.

-- 
Neil Jones- Neil at nwjones.demon.co.uk http://www.nwjones.demon.co.uk/
"At some point I had to stand up and be counted. Who speaks for the
butterflies?" Andrew Lees - The quotation on his memorial at Crymlyn Bog
National Nature Reserve