Caterpillar ID?

[Jonners]

Whilst on the North Yorkshire Moors for a holiday in August, we saw some Common Cotton Grass so I took a photo. It was only when I was looking at the photo later on my computer that I noticed the small caterpillar tucked away under the flower head.

It looks decidedly tufty, almost like a Vapourer Moth caterpillar. Does anyone have any idea what it could be? There were no bushes around, just an abundance of heather, ling, cotton grass and some sundew plants.

Thanks

[charlieb]

I think you are probably right with a Vapourer - they're polyphagous, which means they eat just about anything

I've seen larva in similar situations (on grass stems, wire fences) where they have been parasitized and all that is left is the dull, slightly bloated husk of the caterpillar.

[Jonners]

Thank you Charlie. Polyphagous is a new word on me, but now safely stored away in the dark recesses of my brain. Interesting that they eat just about anything, as I would never have imagined they would find themselves in such a remote spot. Still, wherever they lay their eggs, that's their home. Mmm, feel a song coming on

Thanks again