[The Black Rabbit]

Hallo Shirley and Lance.

I've been very confused by a few similar-looking larvae recently.

What makes the one above a LARGE yellow underwing?
I've taken a shot of a large yellow underwing recently and its not quite like this - far more broken pattern, far less (obvious) uniform stripes. All my guides suggest the large yellow underwing larva is less striped than this. Are the Large Yellow Underwing caterpillars so variable in colour and/or markings AND the appearance of stripes also? Confused? I am!

I am interested to know why can't this (above) be a Lesser Yellow underwing or even a Square Spot Rustic?


These darned brown caterpillars doing ma heid in!

Thanks for any guidance in advance.
Doug



Edited- (a few minutes and a few books later!)
Ah. I see a difference between the three species now. (After a little more research). That may help my poor old eyes in future!