Can someone please help me identify this caterpillar?

KateW · #1 (**permalink**) 27-05-2009, 08:52 PM

Please can someone help me find out what this caterpillar is? My book seems to be full of hairy caterpillars quite like it but none exactly the same as far as I can see!!

I'm sure someone will know straight away what it is.

Many thanks.
KateW

charlieb · #2 (**permalink**) 27-05-2009, 09:48 PM

The Lackey, Malacosoma neustria

KateW · #3 (**permalink**) 28-05-2009, 10:43 PM

Thanks charlieb, I'm going to have get a better book!!

charlieb · #4 (**permalink**) 28-05-2009, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KateW

Thanks charlieb, I'm going to have get a better book!!

The problem with most books is that they don't cover all the species. The problem with all books is that they show limited instars - caterpillars vary as they age

.

The best book I've come across is The Colour Identification Guide to the Caterpillars of the British Isles by Jim Porter, although it is now out of print. That coupled with the internet (mainly ukleps.org which shows much of the variation, ukmoths.org.uk and a few others) is usually pretty good.

Of course years of ol' fashioned practice helps too