Hairy, Stripy Caterpillar - ID Please?

FranOnTheEdge · #1 (**permalink**) 25-08-2008, 04:17 PM

Hullo folks, We found this chap:

trying to take up residence in the kitchen yesterday.

We have hens and as they often come to the door for food I thought it best to help him out and back into the garden - I did this using a hollyhock leaf and put him onto the hollyhock plant... whereupon the daft creature immediately walked to the tip of the leaf and suicidally jumped off. There's gratitude for you! Lol!

I'm not sure if I've seen this before and I can't find out what it is - does anyone know?

Meta menardi · #2 (**permalink**) 25-08-2008, 04:34 PM

What a pair of golfing trousers that would make! I have never played golf, but that would look great.

To another golfer.

aeshna5 · #3 (**permalink**) 25-08-2008, 04:48 PM

Buff Tip larva.

FranOnTheEdge · #4 (**permalink**) 25-08-2008, 04:56 PM

Buff Tip? does that mean the moth is one of those rather dull brown ones, yes I think I know that one. Looks a bit like a piece of flaked off bark.

Thanks, nice to know.

Anyone for golf? Lol.

John · #5 (**permalink**) 25-08-2008, 05:03 PM

I wouldn't call it plain. In fact it's one of my favourite moths. Here is a photo of one I took back in June 2007.

John

Quote:

Originally Posted by FranOnTheEdge

Buff Tip? does that mean the moth is one of those rather dull brown ones, yes I think I know that one. Looks a bit like a piece of flaked off bark.

Thanks, nice to know.

Anyone for golf? Lol.

FranOnTheEdge · #6 (**permalink**) 26-08-2008, 10:44 AM

Perhaps "well camouflaged" would be a better description? Certainly they are hard to spot if they are sitting on tree bark.

naturegirl · #7 (**permalink**) 27-08-2008, 12:18 AM

This moth is actually one of my favourites as it is the one that got me interested in moths many years ago!

Naturegirl

Hedge Witch · #8 (**permalink**) 27-08-2008, 05:44 AM

Yep - looks like a rather nice moth to me

FranOnTheEdge · #9 (**permalink**) 27-08-2008, 11:43 AM

The one that got me interested - and totally astonished at its fantastic colours - is the Elephant Hawk Moth, I found one a couple of years ago just sitting on a leaf - it was right next to where my mum and I were sitting outside having coffee in the garden.

In her Blue, Yellow and White bed... with the occasional pinkish flower.

And there it was, this fantastically multicoloured pristine looking creature, like something out of a sci-fi movie.

I took loads of photos... none of which can I find now. They might be among the stuff I had stolen a while back, I lost so much I still come across something I can't find and have to forcibly disengage from "search mode".

I do so wish I could find another Elephant Hawk Moth.

What does the buff tip caterpillar eat?

naturegirl · #10 (**permalink**) 28-08-2008, 12:06 AM

Hi FranOnTheEdge and welcome to WAB!

Buff tip larvae eat many different leaves: Elm, Sallow, Lime, Oak and other deciduous trees and shrubs.

Elephant hawkmoths are very common so you should see some soon (next spring/summer).

Naturegirl