unidentified caterpillars

[Looking]

Hi,
I have just posted 2 photos of unidentified caterpillars in the hope that someone can name them. Found at VC14

I found this one on the patio 10 November 2007.


I found this one in woodland on 11 October 2007. I believe it was on sedge when I found it but not certain this is its food plant.


Thanks for looking.
Dave

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I think they are

1 - Large Yellow Underwing - Noctua pronuba &
2 - Poplar Grey - Acronicta megacephala

neil

[Lance Morgan]

Yes I agree

1. Large yellow underwing

but not sure about the second although it looks similar to poplar grey. Was it found on grass? because they feed on poplar.

[Dogghound]

Yes Noctua pronuba for number one in its green form, as oppose to brown.

Carnt say ive ever seen number two before.

[Lance Morgan]

I've had a good look thru' me books and can't do better than Poplar Grey - Acronicta megacephala. You cannot see small pale patch on back towards the rear in the picture but the grey colour, red blobs and hairs point to megacephala. It is on grass so perhaps it has wandered off poplar to find somewhere to pupate.
Good identification neil

[Looking]

Thanks wildlifesnapper, Lance and dogghound.
I agree 100% with the green one.
The dark one I have not been able to find anything closer. Although its not a perfect match. All the images I can find on the net show a pale patch near the back end and my photos don't show this. But even so I think it probably is one.
Here is a photo of the top so you can see what I mean.

Thanks Dave