My mum found this while gardening and we come across them every so often but we have never seen one this big or that looks like this. We live in the U.K., and have no idea what kind of butterfly/ moth it is. Can anyone help out with identification?
it is very much alive (at the moment) as it is moving about. Would very much appreciate it if someone could help out.
Looks likely for Elephant Hawkmoth, big & beautiful!
ukmoths.org.uk/.../
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
Best wishes
Hazel in Southwest France
Of course, very easy with this one especially as so close to eclosing ... aerated pot filled with dry leaf litter or orchid compost, good because already sterilised & easy for the moths to negotiate through, keep somewhere cool, like a shed, garage or outhouse for another month then bring in, place on kijtchen paper & spray with distilled water to wake it up ... at this stage provide a stick for the emerging moth to climb up so that wings can expand & dry freely without catching up on anything which would cause deformities!