It great to see neighbouring parishes interest taking an interest in and contributing  information to this Biodiversity Section of our website. While its not seasonal, we like to share information as we receive it. 

These photos of Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar were taken by Richard in Mount Plunkett Lecarrow in August. Amazing images!

No more than the Goat Moth caterpillar, (which we have already posted), the Hawk Moth caterpillar, is a sight to behold if you are lucky enough to spot it.

So here is the result of our basic research on the Elephant Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Scientific: Name Deilephila elpenor

Family: Sphingidae

Distribution :Widespread and commonIreland England, Wales, southern and western Scotland and beyond. 

Habitat: Gardens, waste ground and woodland clearings.

The preferred food plants of the caterpillar are Willowherb(already posted) and Bedstraw which we know are abundant in Kilteevan. The caterpillars can generally be seen from July to September, when they pupate.

The caterpillars can be green but are more frequently brown with a net or snake like pattern along the body as well as the four large 'eye' like patches at the head end. They have a backward curving spine or "horn" on the final abdominal segment.

The caterpillars has a trunk-like section just behind the head, hence the name “Elephant.”  This trunk like section can be extended or retracted as a defensive tactic.

When threatened this section is drawn in towards its body. This shields the head from danger and has the added advantage of inflating its body, making the four eye markings look much larger.

Caterpillars are preyed upon by birds, but can shy away from caterpillars "snake"like posturing.

When fully grown the caterpillar moves down to the ground to pupate.  It remains in this state until the following spring when it emerges as an adult moth.

Adult

The Elephant Hawk moth is spectacularly coloured, seeming to shimmer with green and red when in motion.  It has a wingspan of approximately 70mm.

To the inexperienced eye it looks like "pink butterfly"

The imago (adult) feeds at night, and often takes and often takes nectar from plants like honeysuckles and petunias. 

The life span of the adult moth is up to 5 weeks and they are generally seen from May to July.

This species possesses good night or scotopic vision  and can discriminate colours very well.  Adult moths are eaten by some species of bats.

The last few months have been very busy at Kilteevan Community School! A Visit from the Bishop, taking part in the Science Fair, the shoe box appeal, Set Dancing Classes and of course Halloween!

Kilteevan N.S. have also had success in the Roscommon Credit Union Art Competition where Sean Fox was awarded 3rd place in the Under 7 competition and Lauren O'Connor was also awarded 3rd in the 8-10 category.

Our quiz team of Kate Cunningham, Cormac Dolan, Noah Fallon and Adam Connolly came 4th in the recent Library Quiz.

Kilteevan NS are also very busy preparing for our 4th Green Flag which is the Travel Flag. We organised a walk to school recently and some more events are being organised for the New Year.

We are delighted to note that interest in this section of our website is growing.

Our magnificant pheasants are being admired these days and a deer has been spotted in the woodlands near Grove.

So have the camera ready and send us the photos to [email protected]

Keep those reports coming in. 

Our plant this month is Spindle, Euonymus europaeus, Feoras.

Flowering May- June. Fruiting September- November.

Spindle is a decidious native shrub or small tree, a species of flowering plant in the family Celastraceae. A plain shrub that comes alive with unbelievable colours in Autumn.

It appears in roadside hedges occasionally usually in relatively old and botanically diverse hedges. We are lucky in Kilteevan. to have old diverse hedges. There is lots of Spindle to be found.

The flowers are small greenish yellow, hardly visible, but the fruit from the tiny flowers are very noticeable. The fruit is green through summer gradually developing to dull, four cornered, pink-red fruits.

The fruits are carried in clusters dangling from flowers stems. Over a period of a few weeks the red fruits spilt, creating their own fireworks, revealing bright orange seeds .   The orange and crimson contrast is very eye-catching but beware Spindle is toxic if ingested.

Spindle is one of the few trees to get its name from one of its traditional uses.

The name harks back to a time when the plants dense white wood was used for making wool spinning spindles as well as knitting needles. It was also used for the bars in bird cages in times when wire was not available or affordable.  

In more recent times Spindle wood is used in the production of skewers and toothpicks as it can be cut to a sharp point without breaking.

Be alert for Spindle and admire its beauty as you ramble The Groves of Kilteevan.  Our photo taken by an amateur photographer in Kilteevan.