Unknown Caterpillars

[christina]

I found these around the garden. The first was on honeysuckle and I thought it would be very easy to ID because of the lovely markings on its back. The third pic shows something attached to the honeysuckle and was being attended (or attacked) by an ant, is it the second stage of the caterpillar? The second caterpillar was found on a tree in the garden but, sorry, I don't know the ID of the tree. I've searched on many sites and checked my books but just cannot ID them. All suggestions gratefully received. Thanks.

[UB4 gardener]

Early grey maybe for the honeysuckle feeder, possible hoverfly larvae for the 2nd(have seen something similar in green but by no means definite) and mottled Umber for the last one.

Chris

[christina]

Thank you Chris (UB4 gardener) for the ID, its been driving me potty lol.

[Harry Eales]

Originally Posted by christina

Thank you Chris (UB4 gardener) for the ID, its been driving me potty lol.

Hello Christina,

It's definately not an Early Grey moth, the larvae in picture 3 is a 'looper' or a Geometer larvae, possibly a 'Carpet' moth of some indeterminate species. The only way to find out precisely what it is, would be to breed it out to the adult form.

Harry

[wildlifesnapper]

Hi

1 + 2 are Early Grey

4 + 5 are Mottled Umber

neil

[christina]

Hi all

Thank you for your input. Just need to ID the "thing" in pic 3 now. I checked this morning and they have disappeared, perhaps hatched? (if that's the correct term lol).

Thanks again.

[Dogghound]

On picture three it shows a pupa of somesort, but it looks like there is some type of parasitic wasp on it?

[christina]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

On picture three it shows a pupa of somesort, but it looks like there is some type of parasitic wasp on it?

Yes Dogghound, there is a pupa of some sort in picture 3 and it has been suggested that it could be a hoverfly. The parasitic wasp is in fact an ant and I've read the ants sometimes attend pupa cos they are rewarded with sweet excretions (cannot recall correct scientific name now, sorry for my ignorance lol). My knowledge of hoverflies is zero so I can only go by what I've been told. I wasn't sure if the pupa was that of the caterpillar in photos 1 and 2. If anyone knows what it is in photo 3 I would be most grateful for their input.

[Dogghound]

The puparium of most hoverfly species is a teardrop shape unlike these, so its not a hoverfly if thats any extra help.

[christina]

Originally Posted by Dogghound

The puparium of most hoverfly species is a teardrop shape unlike these, so its not a hoverfly if thats any extra help.

Yes Dogghound, it is of help, thank you, it means I call rule out hoverfly. I must admit I did feel it and its kinda soft. I thought at one point it was scale or some kind but its too soft for that. Perhaps, hopefully, something will emerge when I am around and can ID it.