Can anyone identify this caterpillar?

[Impret-Sir]

I just found it in my garden, and its the largest one I have ever seen in this country. Its about 7cm long, and roughly 1cm in diameter. Its dark brown and has two sets of false 'eyes' on its baxk, near its head end, which it displays by rearing up if I disturb it. It also has a 5mm long spike on its tail, pointing straight up. It is currently practically defoliating a hardy fuschia bush, watching it eat is amazing!
I assume its going to be some kind of hawk moth, but can anyone tell me which one?

[emeritus]

Elephant Hawk Moth ?

http://en.wikipedia.o...ki/Deilephila_elpenor

[Impret-Sir]

Ahh, just had a look on Google, seems it might be an elephant hawk moth!

[julia-mag]

Definitely sound like the 'elephant hawk moth' which likes fuschias as I found out, then they pupate very quickly and return as beautiful moths. I took the one I found in my fuschias to our museum (as I had not come across it before, a few years back) and they identified it for me straight away.The first thing they asked was, Do you have any fuschias growing!