Help with caterpillar ID

[Oscar the Grouch]

Whilst gardening today, we've unearthed a strange caterpillar. It was underneath a large stone slab, which we were moving. It is about 1.5 inches long and is predominantly orange with a yellowish underneath.

Any clues as to what it is?

Thanks

[squishy]

i dont think thats a caterpillar- its some kind of larvae, maybe a kind of beetle.

caterpillars aren't found in the ground

[GuyF]

It's the caterpillar of the Goat Moth, it's a very nice find as the moths are quite scarce and the caterpillars aren't seen very often because they live inside trees, I've never seen the moth or the caterpillar!
Guy

P.S. As you found it under a stone slab I'd guess it's looking for somewhere to pupate

[squishy]

sorry about the miss information
i didn't know caterpillars could be found in places like that- thanks guyf

[aeshna5]

I've only seen a Goat Moth once, many years ago, sat on a fence post- a pretty large moth too!

[Wild-Woman]

We saw one at Thursley last year. Big old moth.

[Oscar the Grouch]

Originally Posted by GuyF

It's the caterpillar of the Goat Moth, it's a very nice find as the moths are quite scarce and the caterpillars aren't seen very often because they live inside trees, I've never seen the moth or the caterpillar!
Guy

P.S. As you found it under a stone slab I'd guess it's looking for somewhere to pupate

Thanks for this information!

Most interesting.

[naturegirl]

Hi Oscar the Grouch!

My beloved Yorkie was called Oscar and we all loved him SO!!! He was almost 17 when he passed away so the name Oscar will always be very special to me!

Anyway..... I hope you managed to re-locate the Goat moth Caterpillar to a suitable location as they are quite a scarce moth. I have never seen one in my 30 years+ experience of moths.

Naturegirl