We continue our series exploring the flora and fauna of Bukovel.
Today, we focus once again on the world of insects.
Have you spotted a striking butterfly with raspberry-green wings while walking around the resort? That’s the wine hawk moth (Deilephila elpenor) – one of the most vibrant and eye-catching nocturnal butterflies in the Carpathians.
Here’s some fascinating information about this incredible moth, which often surprises with its appearance and behavior.
Appearance
The wine hawk moth boasts an incredibly bright and unique coloration: a blend of raspberry-pink and olive-green on its wings and body.
- Wingspan: around 45-60 mm.
- It’s named “wine” because its colors resemble those of grapes or wine.
- Its caterpillar is large, dark, and has striking “eyes” on the front, mimicking a snake’s head to ward off predators.
What does it eat?
- Adult moths primarily feed on flower nectar, mainly in the twilight and nighttime hours. They have a special fondness for climbing plants, such as honeysuckle, phlox, and others.
- The caterpillars mostly feast on hops, epilobium, fuchsia, willowherb, bedstraw, grapes, and occasionally ornamental flowers.
A nocturnal guest
This moth is active mainly during the evening and night, flitting from flower to flower. Hawk moths are remarkable fliers, capable of reaching speeds of up to 50-60 km/h.
With its long proboscis, the wine hawk moth can collect nectar from deep flowers, hovering in mid-air just like a hummingbird.
Trivia
- The caterpillar’s snake-like mimicry serves as a defense against birds and other predators.
- Before pupating, the caterpillar turns brown and soft, burrows into the ground, and forms a pupa.
- The wine hawk moth does not damage gardens or fields; instead, it serves as a valuable pollinator.
- It is found across Europe, including Ukraine, particularly in the Carpathians, Polissya, and forest-steppe regions.
And here’s a fun twist – this moth could actually become your… pet. No, this isn’t a joke. Of course, it won’t respond to its name, purr in your ear, or beg to be walked on a leash. And no trips to the vet needed.
The truth is, the large wine hawk moth is one of the species that can thrive in captivity, provided you create the right conditions. With the proper temperature, humidity, lighting, and food, these moths can actively engage in feeding behavior, quickly pairing up and laying up to 150 eggs.
Good to know: The presence of this moth is an indicator of a clean environment, as it thrives only in ecologically balanced areas.
Seeing a wine hawk moth is truly a special experience. It’s like watching an artist’s creation, its wings painted in the hues of the evening sky over the Carpathians!
Earlier in our series on Bukovel’s flora and fauna, we shared stories about the wild bees, the fish of Lake of Youth, the newt, the red squirrel, and the salamander.
In the photo: We spotted the wine hawk moth during the day on the facade of the "Vulyk" restaurant. This was unusual, as it’s typically a nocturnal moth. After consulting with experts, we fed it sweet nectar and then released it into a meadow. It became much more active after feeding, as it had been hungry and didn’t retreat into the shade during the day.