Help identify this humongous caterpillar

otheos · #1 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 06:53 PM

I have to begin with by saying what a great site this is. I have been following it for some time and wish we had something similar here in Greece too.

I hope I am not breaking the rules by asking your help to identify a caterpilar I saw here in Greece. Hopefully someone knows this.

I found this beauty crossing the road and actually stopped and moved her back to the grass. Green, spotted, smooth skinned with a fuzzy little tail.

Many many thanks.

tameblackbirds · #2 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:21 PM

That is large I hope someone can id it

david156 · #3 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:34 PM

hi.

It might be a type of hawk moth caterpiller??
Not to go at caterpillars but it looks the right size.

Cheers David.

rangersarah2 · #4 (**permalink**) 19-10-2009, 08:46 PM

Def a hawkmoth.

Lance Morgan · #5 (**permalink**) 20-10-2009, 10:00 AM

This is a pale form of the death's head hawkmoth (acherontia atropos) larva.
interesting it is on oleander (neri). You put it there OK.

otheos · #6 (**permalink**) 20-10-2009, 09:27 PM

That's the one, I am reading all about it on the web now. Many many thanks, it's amazing and fascinating to know about things you see around you and usually neglect. Ditto about the oleander.

I actually put her on the grass and she climbed on the oleander by herself. She is now gone.

Many thanks again.