Strange caterpillar

[Tiffin]

Sorry, no picture, as wasn't carrying camera. Walking happily on the grass and fallen leaves (both me and the caterpillar!) on the side of Derwent Water in the English Lake District in early October. Large caterpillar, perhaps two and a half to three inches long, vivid lime green/yellow colour. Thick body segmented with deep crevasses between each segment. Long upward pointing, curved red spine on the tail.
Can anyone identify this for me?

[henrya]

Well, the spine on the tail means it was a Hawkmoth, but there are several green ones. Were there any coloured marking on the side of the body?

henrya

[Tobyh]

Pale Tussock caterpillar. I think - was it hairy?

I'll find a link to a picture for you

*Edit* - here you go -

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...age-20134.html

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ga...age-20135.html

TobyH

[DL]

This is also a good resource for caterpillar ID - http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/plates.htm

[Nicola Main]

Was it like this one?

UKMoths - Convolvulus Hawk-moth Agrius convolvuli

[Tiffin]

Thanks for that but no, colours are right but it wasn't hairy.
Tiffin

[Tiffin]

No, tail splike similar but there was no black pattern, just bright green and yellow and the surface was deeply 'crevassed'

[Tiffin]

Nothing that I can recall that wasn't shades of the green and yellow. The most outstanding feature was the articulated look of the deep 'crevasses' in the surface of the body.

[Tiffin]

Thanks, Henrya, Hawkmoth is a good start. Nothing that I can recall that wasn't shades of the green and yellow. The most outstanding feature was the articulated look of the deep 'crevasses' in the surface of the body.

[Tiffin]

Thanks, DL, I've had a good look but can't find it amongst those
Tiffin