Caterpillar id

LUCKYJACKSON · #1 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 12:50 PM

Uploaded a pic to help identify caterpillar also what does it eat as there is not a lot of vegatation around our backyard...cheers.

Jonners · #2 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 12:57 PM

Hi LuckyJackson

If I'm not mistaken, that's the caterpillar of the Puss Moth and they feed on Willow. I would love to find one of them - they look great, don't they?

Hedera · #3 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 12:59 PM

This is a Puss Moth caterpillar. They eat willow leaves, so there may be some nearby.

charlieb · #4 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 01:03 PM

They also eat aspen and poplar, but if you didn't find it on a foodplant it's probably looking for somewhere to pupate.

Lance Morgan · #5 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 01:07 PM

This is not a mature puss moth larva. Put it on some poplar or willow leaves if you can find some.

charlieb · #6 (**permalink**) 05-08-2009, 01:16 PM

What makes you think it's not mature? I don't have much experience with the Notodontidae (sadly).

In my experience there are three reasons why you'll find larvae not on foodplants:

It's ran out - not likely for a tree feeder
The parasite(s) inside it is ready to progress to it's next stage (which can invoke pupation/odd behaviour)
It's about to pupate

Lance Morgan · #7 (**permalink**) 06-08-2009, 08:23 AM

Proportions are wrong I think this is probably 4th instar. It could be parasitised as fully fed Puss moth caterpillars get quite bulky and fat. They go a definite plum colour when ready to pupate.