Caterpillar like a twig for ID please

BarbaraEmma · #1 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 04:46 PM

Found this clever little thing on my Lemon tree whilst I was moving it back into the house for the winter.The only thing I can come up with is an Orange Moth Caterpillar,I'm probably wrong again but I keep trying.

Barbara

charlieb · #2 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 04:49 PM

It's a Swallow-tailed Moth

Lance Morgan · #3 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 05:04 PM

Tis a swallowtail. Orange moth has a bigger spike on it rear.

BarbaraEmma · #4 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 06:00 PM

Aha, now I know,I was wondering how I could have spotted the difference.Thank you both very much for the info and the help,will it be OK to be left indoors or should I put it somewhere outside ?I keep the lemon tree in a conservatory which doesn't get very warm through the winter.Barbara

Lance Morgan · #5 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarbaraEmma

Aha, now I know,I was wondering how I could have spotted the difference.Thank you both very much for the info and the help,will it be OK to be left indoors or should I put it somewhere outside ?I keep the lemon tree in a conservatory which doesn't get very warm through the winter.Barbara

Best outside in shed or garage (the moth I mean) In the consevatory it will emerge early unless totally unheated.

BarbaraEmma · #6 (**permalink**) 23-09-2009, 07:52 PM

If I put it in the garage would it need to be on a plant or will it survive just on the wall ?Would it be better to put it in the garden ,our house is almost 1000ft above sea level and this area gets very cold in winter. I've just today put an Elephant Hawkmoth caterpillar under some bushes behind the greenhouse where I hope it will be sheltered.Barbara

Lance Morgan · #7 (**permalink**) 25-09-2009, 11:13 AM

If it is still feeding it will need something to eat. They like Ivy best but will take other garden plants andf shrubs. If it is wandering off the food its looking for some soil or surface rubbish to papate in.