Unidentified caterpillar and beetle

[poschiavanus]

A couple of unidentified critters found on a walk through Maidenhead Thicket a couple of weeks ago:

1. Caterpillar under bark on fallen tree (species not noted, could be Chestnut, Beech, Cherry). 4 prolegs plus claspers, brown head, greyish body. Around 10-15 mm long:



2. Tiny little beetle within an old artichoke gall on a yew tree. Apparently clubbed antennae, black elytra with a single light longitudinal streak on each elytron:



Any help or ideas appreciated,

poschiavanus

[Wild-Woman]

Think the larva may be a Sawfly of some type. The beetle I really have no clue. Sorry.

[Dogghound]

1.Isnt a sawfly not enough pro-legs, its a larva from the Hepialidae family of moths, possible something like a Ghost swift Hepialus humuli.
2. Is a member of the Chrysomelidae, Phyllotreta nemorum.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

2. Is a member of the Chrysomelidae, Phyllotreta nemorum.

Although there is the similar Phyllotreta undulata and the photo is very blurry, so hard to say with 100% confidence. Also Phyllotreta vittula, although this is usually associated with meadows. Since you describe the beetle as being tiny then perhaps Phyllotreta undulata would be a better ID for it as it is smaller than the other two.

[Paul mabbott]

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

2. Tiny little beetle within an old artichoke gall on a yew tree. Apparently clubbed antennae, black elytra with a single light longitudinal streak on each elytron:

Go with the Hound! These are not clubbed antennae - which would be much more distinctive. Small, stripey leaf-beetles are not uncommon so I think you would need to have a much better view to be absolutely sure of this. Interesting place to find it though - presumably just taking shelter?

[poschiavanus]

Thanks for the very useful replies.

For the caterpillar, I think I'd discounted Hepliaidae on the basis that it was under bark rather than on roots etc: but certainly looks a good fit. I've seen something similar under bark of dead elm.

The beetle was very small: reason picture was blurred is this is 4x digital zoom, running around on my hand and it was under a dark yew! Definitely at edge of capability of the camera (& the photographer). Unfortunately I did not have my hand lens with me so photos were the only means of gathering info.

I've had another look to try and estimate size and it appears to be no more than 2 mm, and probably closer to 1.75 mm than 2 mm. So perhaps more likely to be vittula. Location was near edge of woodland with open fields and the wide verge of the A4 both close at hand.

Either way, next time I see anything like it I'll know where to start!

Cheers,

poschiavanus

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by poschiavanus

For the caterpillar, I think I'd discounted Hepliaidae on the basis that it was under bark rather than on roots etc: but certainly looks a good fit. I've seen something similar under bark of dead elm.

Yes more commonly found amoungst roots, although not totally uncommon amoungst fallen vegetation, like a dead tree.

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

I think the larva could be a Common Swift - H. lupulinus.
They are known to wander between food sources so could be why it ended up under bark.

neil

[haematocephalus]

Another possiblity for the caterpillar is the micro-moth Esperia sulphurella, whose larvae feed on dead wood/fungus and are around at this time of year. Under bark would be a typical situation for them, although I've also found them in the wood of a bird table and the wood of a window frame, so they're not fussy! There are some good pictures on:
Eggs, Larvae and Pupae of Butterflies and Moths

(search for Esperia sulphurella under scientific names)

The moth itself is very pretty, although small.

Can't guarantee that's the correct identity, there are some related species that I'm not familiar with.

Martin