Red Admiral caterpillar?

Billabong Karen · #1 (**permalink**) 26-09-2011, 09:42 AM

Hi, I know next to nothing about butterflies, but very much enjoyed watching a couple of Red Admirals enjoying the sunshine at the weekend. This little fella was crawling up the wall - is it a Red Admiral caterpillar? Will it pupate and hatch this season, or will it wait until the spring to emerge?

Thanks for id help. Karen

triops · #2 (**permalink**) 26-09-2011, 11:16 AM

Not an Admiral, sadly, but the beautiful caterpillar of the Knotgrass moth.

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 26-09-2011, 11:24 AM

Yes a Knotgrass, these overwinter as pupae. Often when you find a caterpillar like this away from its food plant. It has either been infected by a parasite or more often it is looking for a place to pupate.

Billabong Karen · #4 (**permalink**) 26-09-2011, 01:19 PM

It was heading quite determinedly up the wall; I assumed it was looking for a quiet and safe place to pupate. The geraniums underneath have been looking a bit chewed on for some time - perhaps that's where this little fellow had been! Thank you both for the id.