3 caterpillars for id please!

vaughnie · #1 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 10:03 AM

Hi, all three of these caterpillars were found within Molinia during a reptile/amphibian search in south wales. The latter two may well be the same species, I'm not sure. The first one was found in large numbers throughout the site.

I am about to order Manley's moths and butterfly book, but until then I need some help please!
Cheers,
Vaughn

CapAndBracket · #2 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 01:10 PM

This is a great online resource.

http://www.ukleps.org/index.html

Cheers J.P.

charlieb · #3 (**permalink**) 29-04-2009, 05:46 PM

1. Striped Wainscot, Mythimna pudorina
2. ? maybe an Ingrailed Clay, Diarsia mendica
3. Ingrailed Clay, Diarsia mendica

vaughnie · #4 (**permalink**) 01-05-2009, 07:38 PM

Thanks for that charlieb, I'm definately still learning with moth caterpillars...

Thanks to capandbracket too-that is a good resource, though a bit daunting if you have no idea of where to start!

Vaughn

charlieb · #5 (**permalink**) 01-05-2009, 09:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaughnie

I'm definately still learning with moth caterpillars...

So am I

ukleps.org is the one to look at, but as you say you need to have some idea of what your looking for: family, sub-family etc.

For example, I recognized #1 as being one of the wainscots, and it was then a case of checking a few examples and descriptions in various places (ukleps, ukmoths, Porters ID guide to caterpillars)

Another good picture ID site is Papillons - Photographies et Videos Animalieres (albeit in french)