Mystery moth pupae & caterpillars....

[Claire Fifi]

Yay, I just googled "green caterpillar nettle rolled"..and WHAM..straight in to WAB!

I have not been on here for ages, but just wanted to say THANKS. What a fab resource this is.

I have been reading "No Nettles Required" by Ken Thompson..a wonderful little book. He came to the conclusion that there is no point planting nettles in your garden as you are unlikely to get any butterflies or moths laying eggs. Probably due to the fact that there are enough established nettle patches nearby.

Well, I went to check my patch (planted about 15 years ago..so pretty well established, although small) and was surprised to find the rolled up leaves with green inhabitants. Never noticed them before (prob just forgot to look as I was so unused to finding caterpillars on them!).

[UB4 gardener]

sound like Mother of pearl caterpillars Pleuroptya ruralis

Chris

[Kreacha]

Originally Posted by UB4 gardener

sound like Mother of pearl caterpillars Pleuroptya ruralis

Chris

I too found these caterpillars rolled up in nettle leaves and couldn't find out what they were, so thanks Chris for putting me out of my misery, it was bugging me now knowing.

[Claire Fifi]

Thanks Chris. I had another peek inside the rolled up nettle leaf and it is definitely the Mother of Pearl (my Dad used to call it "Father of Fred")..