What's This Caterpillar?

[christina]

I spotted this caterpillar lunching on nettles, does anyone know what he/she is please? Many thanks.

[Zev]

Hiya, can I join in too?

Some children in my class found this caterpillar in our school garden today (and named 'him' Barry). They would really like to know what kind of caterpillar it is, but I've scoured the Internet and can't find anything that looks like it.

[mrs fish]

Christina yours looks like a Small White butterfly


Zev I wondered if yours is a Comma butterfly ?

[Tiggrx]

I think Zev's caterpillar is an Oak Eggar

[Zev]

Hi - thanks.

I have Googled pictures of the comma caterpillar and there are some similarities. The ones online had a lot more white on them, but I wondered if this is what the white spots on ours will turn into?

EDIT: Ooo yes, it does look more like an Oak Eggar. Thanks!

[christina]

Thank you Mrs Fish for your ID, hopefully there are many more around the nettle patch lol.

Zev, he/she is very pretty!

[aeshna5]

Originally Posted by christina

Thank you Mrs Fish for your ID, hopefully there are many more around the nettle patch lol.

Zev, he/she is very pretty!

I don't know what the larva is, but it's unlikely to be Small White, as their larvae feed on members of the cabbage family, not netttles- there are quite a few moth species that do feed on them.

[christina]

Thank you Aeshna5, I'll try and find out what it is on UK Moths.

[cherrybee]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I think Zev's caterpillar is an Oak Eggar

I agree just looked in my Complete British Insects and it definitely fits the description

[welsh.lensman]

Originally Posted by Tiggrx

I think Zev's caterpillar is an Oak Eggar

I agree, I took this photo of one the other day.



as you can see the markings are very simular.