Naming
Two subspecies, "Deilephila elpenor elpenor" and "Deilephila elpenor lewisii", were recognised in the past, but they are no longer regarded as well distinguished. Similarly the subspecies "Deilephila elpenor szechuana" is now thought to be a synonym for "Deilephila elpenor elpenor". The subspecies "Deilephila elpenor macromera", found in southern China, northern India, Bhutan and Myanmar, is still regarded as distinct.The related species, the Small Elephant Hawk-moth "Deilephila porcellus" and Chitral Elephant Hawk-moth "Deilephila rivularis" are similar but smaller and less colourful.
Reproduction
The larva is about 75 millimetres long, green and brown in colour. Like most hawk moth caterpillars, they have a backward curving spine or "horn" on the final abdominal segment. The anterior of the caterpillar appears to have the shape of a trunk-like snout. It is this elephant look, rather than its large size, that gives the moth its name. When startled, the caterpillar draws its trunk into its foremost body segment. This posture resembles a snake with a large head and four large eye-like patches. Caterpillars are preyed upon by birds, but these shy away from caterpillars in "snake" pose. It is not known whether the birds take the caterpillar to actually resemble a snake, or are frightened by the sudden change of a familiar prey item into an unusual and boldly-patterned shape.The preferred food plants of the caterpillar are willowherb and bedstraw, though it will also take fuchsias.
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