Hawk moths day 3

My hawk moths have started to emerge! It is also crazy to me that these are the same little creatures I was raising last July. Watching them go from chunky caterpillars to now pushing out of their cocoons with those incredible wings—it's honestly a little surreal

Last summer, I was really successful with the caterpillars. They fed well, grew fast, and eventually formed these beautiful, earthy brown cocoons. I ended up with 14 hawk moth cocoons in total, which I’ve been overwintering since late autumn. It’s my first time overwintering moths, and I’ll admit, I’m a bit nervous about the process. It’s one thing to care for them when they're active and feeding, but quite another when they’re in this long, silent waiting stage.

That said, I’m hopeful. These are English native species—species that have naturally evolved to handle our winters—so I expect them to be hardier than some of the more exotic moths I’ve kept. Hawk moths like the Elephant Hawk Moth (*Deilephila elpenor*) and the Poplar Hawk Moth (*Laothoe populi*) are well-known here in the UK, and they’re pretty resilient.

Still, I’ve been checking their container obsessively for any signs of mold, too much moisture, or any issues with their environment. So far, so good—and with the first few emerging, I think we’re on the right track.

There’s something so rewarding about seeing them finally emerge. It’s like being reminded of how long this process has taken, and how patient nature can be. They’re not just insects—they’re living proof of a whole year’s worth of care, observation, and hope. Can't wait to see the rest make their debut.