Caterpillar ID anyone?

jezlee · #1 (**permalink**) 24-04-2011, 04:31 PM

I found this caterpillar in the border today when I was clearing lots of small self-sown foxgloves. There was plenty of evidence of larvae being present judging by the amount of holes eaten out of the leaves of larger foxgloves, so I don't know if this is a natural foodplant for whatever it is. Can anyone identify it from this photograph?

Hedera · #2 (**permalink**) 24-04-2011, 05:00 PM

I think this is a Brightline browneye moth larva; sometimes called a cutworm which will eat almost anything including tomatoes on the vine.

jezlee · #3 (**permalink**) 24-04-2011, 05:27 PM

Thanks for the reply, Hedera, but after looking at many photographs of the Bright-Line, I'm not so sure this IS one. There are so many colour variations, it's difficult to tell, but you know what they say about the "jizz"? Something doesn't feel quite right about it. Heaven knows what it is if it isn't though ...

UB4 gardener · #4 (**permalink**) 24-04-2011, 05:31 PM

my money would be on Lesser Yellow underwing.

Chris

jezlee · #5 (**permalink**) 24-04-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UB4 gardener

my money would be on Lesser Yellow underwing.

Chris

Hi Chris - thanks again for the input! I have to agree with you on this one - I was sure I had seen one of these before and it was a fairly common species, so I'm pretty sure you're right on this one as well!