Caterpillar I.D.

[2dogs2000]

Can someone identify this caterpillar for me please? It was on the sand dunes at Holywell Bay, Cornwall. Taken in May.




Thank you

[goosey]

Hi, it looks rather like the Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii but I am not too sure. Some one else may have an other idea hile I think about it a bit more.

[2dogs2000]

Well no-one else has come up with alternative suggestions and I have googled Grass Eggar and it looks good to me. The location and habitat look good too.
Thank you.

[Dogghound]

Yes i would agree Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii

[clicka15]

Hi 2dogs,

I'm no authority on larvae, but Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii looks fairly likely to me. The timing seems good as they are on the wing during August and September, and they like coastal, acid habitats.

This species is a Na (nationally scarce 'A') species, which means it is rare and only one step away from being a RDB (Red Data Book) species. Your county moth recorder would appreciate your record, I'm sure - and could help with the ID as well...

Link: Cornwall Butterfly Conservation

Good species to tick off in your moth book!

Steve.

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by clicka15

Hi 2dogs,

I'm no authority on larvae, but Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii looks fairly likely to me. The timing seems good as they are on the wing during August and September, and they like coastal, acid habitats.

This species is a Na (nationally scarce 'A') species, which means it is rare and only one step away from being a RDB (Red Data Book) species. Your county moth recorder would appreciate your record, I'm sure - and could help with the ID as well...

Link: Cornwall Butterfly Conservation

Good species to tick off in your moth book!

Steve.

O00H! I hope it is a grass eggar.
I am very excited now.
I have sent my record off and await their response.
Thank you.

[Harry Eales]

Originally Posted by 2dogs2000

O00H! I hope it is a grass eggar.
I am very excited now.
I have sent my record off and await their response.
Thank you.

Hello 2dogs,

I don't want to rain on your parade, but it looks to me rather like a Fox Moth larva. These are a Moorland and Dune system species and the Dune dwelling specimens have larva that look much lighter in colour than their moorland cousins.

It's odd, but there are a number of species which can be found in both habitats, but seldom if ever, elsewhere.

Harry

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Harry Eales

Hello 2dogs,

I don't want to rain on your parade, but it looks to me rather like a Fox Moth larva. These are a Moorland and Dune system species and the Dune dwelling specimens have larva that look much lighter in colour than their moorland cousins.

It's odd, but there are a number of species which can be found in both habitats, but seldom if ever, elsewhere.

Harry

It does look alot like the second instar of the fox moth, they are similar looking caterpillars, think this is grass egger though. Hard one

[tristanba]

I'm sure this is a Grass Eggar - location, habitat & date all look good. There is a letter in the latest Atropos regarding the colour forms of larval stages in SW Britain. While most are the typical golden-haired form shown here, on the Isles of Scilly c10% are a pale grey variety. This form may be more common in mainland Europe also, hence the pics of grey larvae on leps id sites you may have seen. BW Tristan

[2dogs2000]

Originally Posted by clicka15

Hi 2dogs,

I'm no authority on larvae, but Grass Eggar Lasiocampa trifolii looks fairly likely to me. The timing seems good as they are on the wing during August and September, and they like coastal, acid habitats.

This species is a Na (nationally scarce 'A') species, which means it is rare and only one step away from being a RDB (Red Data Book) species. Your county moth recorder would appreciate your record, I'm sure - and could help with the ID as well...

Link: Cornwall Butterfly Conservation

Good species to tick off in your moth book!

Steve.

Just recieved email and confirmation from Cornwall moths recorder. This is a Grass Eggar caterpillar. .