Help ID caterpillar please

[Darley]

I spotted this curious beastie wandering aimlessly across my lawn and scooped him up before he got eaten. The 'sting' in the tail is just hair, and his face which you can't see, is black and green. He is about 4cm long. Can somebody please tell me what it is and where would be a good place to re-home him?! Thanks

[CapAndBracket]

Try Calliteara pudibunda (Pale tussock).

Cheers J.P.

[Lance Morgan]

Yes quite common at the moment.

[Darley]

Thanks I found it now Can't figure out what it could be eating as there is just grass and conifers here. I wanted to take some more pictures of it ... so what sort of leaves would it like to munch on?

[Lance Morgan]

It eats a wide range of deciduous shrubs and trees and in the south it was a pest eating hops - no beer.

[Darley]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

It eats a wide range of deciduous shrubs and trees and in the south it was a pest eating hops - no beer.

I'll try a pint of ale and a straw then