Mystery moth pupae & caterpillars....

Swirlything · #1 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 04:34 PM

Ok, here's a challenge for you... I don't have any photos so can't expect an exact ID, (no camera. Bleh.) but it would be interesting if someone can narrow down the possibilities...

The small tortie caterpillars have now mostly gone from my nettles, and several moth caterpillars have moved in instead. (i'm assuming moth from the pupae- definately mothy looking. Hehe.)
The caterpillars are bright green, hairless, and have faint white horizontal stripes down the sides. Their heads are also green but have a horizontal black stripe through each eye.
The caterpillars are living inside rolled-up nettle leaves. I did see one moving in the open- it crawled with an 'inchworm' type movement.
They also pupate in rolled-up leaves. I took a peep at one (before carefully resealing its little hideaway of course) . Definately the same caterpillar, i'd been keeping an eye on it- anyway, the pupa is smooth and shiny, very dark brown with a definate chunky 'moth' look to it. There is a distinctive bulge on the underside just before the abdomen (where the ends of the legs would be). It's about the same size as a small tortoiseshell pupa, maybe slightly shorter.

Anyone? Can't find a thing in the Gallery.... >.< (curse my awful searching skills!)

Stewy · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 10:22 PM

Can't help I'm afraid but this site might help http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/

Stewy · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 10:28 PM

Cabbage Looper? http://www.javajane.co.uk/Smooth/sli...ge_looper.html

Excuse my manners, Welcome Swirlything

cherrybee · #4 (**permalink**) 07-09-2006, 10:29 PM

No idea but a very warm welcome to WAB Swirlything

Swirlything · #5 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 07:53 AM

Thanks for the welcme! I've actually been around for a while, I just tend to lurk more than post ^_^

I thought cabbage looper myself.... it was the 'cabbage' part that threw me. They feed on nettles too then?

Stewy · #6 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 11:33 AM

Dunno........

Imaginos · #7 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 02:58 PM

I'm pretty sure the cabbage looper is a North American species that only occasionally gets over here on imported crops, don't think you'd find them on nettles in the garden.

Link gives the UK moths list of those that feed on Urtica
http://ukmoths.org.uk/fullsearch.php?entry=nettle

EDIT: had a look at the link-Small Magpie?

Tornado · #8 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 03:41 PM

Try looking at the Silver Y caterpillar that seems to fit your description

Swirlything · #9 (**permalink**) 08-09-2006, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tornado

Try looking at the Silver Y caterpillar that seems to fit your description

*checks uk moths site* Looks like that could be it- used to see lots of the adults around here, so it would make sense. Thanks!

Tornado · #10 (**permalink**) 09-09-2006, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swirlything

*checks uk moths site* Looks like that could be it- used to see lots of the adults around here, so it would make sense. Thanks!

I found a load of these Silver Y larvae on my fennel having a good old munch so when I saw your description they were still fresh in my mind! Glad you got your ID and welcom to the site!
Tornado