[ID] Caterpillar

[Dogghound]

Yes i remember that post, but couldn't quite nail it although looking back in heignsight i would say that is Xestia xanthographa, had underwings on my mind, thats why i said other noctuid as i couldnt quite be sure.

Right this thread.

First to make it a little easier we can rule out Lesser yellow underwing Noctua comes its distinctively different, it lacks the black and white markings down its side, has a very feint dorsal stripe, The reason i suggested this one in the first thread is due to it looking very similar to the rusic head on with a similar side stripe dorsal stripe and eye. Other species of noctua caterpillars are distinctively different enough to not get mixed up.

So that leaves large yellow underwing and Square spot rustic, this is were it gets hard. First difference is the dorsal stripe is much thicker in the rustic. The stripes either side with the black markings stay constantly bright in the rustic, in the LYU they tend to fade between black spots. The black spots in the rustic are more linear, more rounded in LYU. The first three sections on the rustic tend not to have these black markings whereas they appear further forward on the LYU. They are all slight differences but make up a bigger picture, individuals will vary, most caterpillars are quite distinctive but these are a similar size and have a similar biology, despite the adults being. Unfortunately both larva feed on grasses and low herbaceous plants if they had more specific diets would again help with ID.

[The Black Rabbit]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

Yes i remember that post, but couldn't quite nail it although looking back in heignsight i would say that is Xestia xanthographa, had underwings on my mind, thats why i said other noctuid as i couldnt quite be sure.

Right this thread.

First to make it a little easier we can rule out Lesser yellow underwing Noctua comes its distinctively different, it lacks the black and white markings down its side, has a very feint dorsal stripe, The reason i suggested this one in the first thread is due to it looking very similar to the rusic head on with a similar side stripe dorsal stripe and eye. Other species of noctua caterpillars are distinctively different enough to not get mixed up.

So that leaves large yellow underwing and Square spot rustic, this is were it gets hard. First difference is the dorsal stripe is much thicker in the rustic. The stripes either side with the black markings stay constantly bright in the rustic, in the LYU they tend to fade between black spots. The black spots in the rustic are more linear, more rounded in LYU. The first three sections on the rustic tend not to have these black markings whereas they appear further forward on the LYU. They are all slight differences but make up a bigger picture, individuals will vary, most caterpillars are quite distinctive but these are a similar size and have a similar biology, despite the adults being. Unfortunately both larva feed on grasses and low herbaceous plants if they had more specific diets would again help with ID.

Excellent!
Just what I was after Dogghound.
(I'm gonnae print that off and stick it in a book!!!)
Many thanks