horned caterpillar

pumamc · #1 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 09:20 PM

hi, i'm trying to identify a caterpillar i found today and wondered if anyone can help please. it was approx 2 inches long, smooth and beige coloured. it had what appeared to be 2 yellow eyes and a large blue horn on its head. when i tried to reomove it from the brick wall to put it in some greenery it turned on me at such a speed i was shocked.
i would be grateful fo any info
thanks mel

Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 09:43 PM

Hi and welcome. If you are in the UK my guess would be either a Large Elephant Hawk or a Lime Hawk only the latter doesn't have markings like eyes on the head

pumamc · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 09:48 PM

thanks, i'll have a look and let you know. did take a pic but not brilliant so i'll only use as last resort

pumamc · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 09:48 PM

ps, sorry forgot to say, yes in uk, derby in fact

pumamc · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 09:59 PM

thanks for your help, its a lime hawk caterpillar, i think the yellow were just markings that looked like eyes to me ! i didn't realise a caterpillar could be so fast or appear so aggressive when protecting itself
mel

Lance Morgan · #6 (**permalink**) 10-09-2009, 07:05 PM

The're totally harmless and great looking moths. If a caterpillar sways back and forth its usually defensive and means, 'leave me alone I gotta go find a nice place to pupate'