Unknown 7cm long x 1.5cm thick caterpillar!

mystic.smeg · #1 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 08:55 AM

I thought it was a thick root, and got a surprise when I touched it!

Like I say; it was found on some lap-board on the bottom of a fence, in damp shade (Essex, UK). I got some pictures of the caterpillar next to a tape measure which show that uncoiled it would be about 7cm in length and easily as thick as the measure all over. (I think) it was black with short silver hair all over, and although unclear because of the hair, had red markings.

pictures are quite big, but I will gladly mail to anyone interested on supply of mail address.

Many thanks in advance.

Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 11:46 AM

Sounds like Fox Moth or Oak Eggar.

mystic.smeg · #3 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 12:25 PM

Outstanding! - Thank you very much.

Not trying to butter you up (I have no reason too), but you must be very good to ID this from a loose description, but sure enough, looking on Google for "Oak Eggar caterpillar image" produced pictures which I rekon is close enough to mine to constitute an ID.

Are these rare in the UK?

I wouldn't have thought the UK had the climate to support such sized beasties! I simply can't imagine the size of the moth/butterfly this will turn into.

Thanks again.

dmclean2 · #4 (**permalink**) 13-05-2008, 07:18 PM

Hi Mystic and welcome ,
A site worth saving is UK Moths , good pics for reference.
Duncan

mystic.smeg · #5 (**permalink**) 14-05-2008, 08:04 PM

Thanks Duncan.

This site has some clever members, well worth joining up.
Thanks for the info, will be creating another bm in favorites...

welsh.lensman · #6 (**permalink**) 15-05-2008, 11:49 AM

Welcome to the site mystic.smeg, if you go to 'what's this caterpiller' on this thread there are photo's of the Oak Eggar in there for comparison. enjoy the site.