Caterpillar help appreciated

[Geoff F]

A couple from last week which are confusing me (not hard to do). S. Devon.





The best I can suggest is Golden Plusia Moth for the first and Silver Washed Fritillary for the second; but my confidence in these ideas is very low.

The first (rather small) was dropping on a thread, from blackthorn and the second was on a stinging nettle close to a group of Peacock caterpillars.

Any better suggestions much appreciated.

[GuyF]

My suggestions would be:
1. Winter Moth
2. Small Tortoiseshell

Guy

[Geoff F]

Thanks Guy, that sounds a lot better.

The Winter Moth caterpillar doesn't appear in my rather limited book, although the adult moth is there.

The image of the S. Tortoiseshell is very green, although the description does mention it being yellowish. And the FSC chart shows it as being distinctly brownish.

I meant to get a decent caterpillar book but decided to wait until the 'caterpillar season' and forgot about it until now.

[Lindsay-c]

Lepidoptera Species by Common Name in Alphabetical Order

is a decent site to use until you find a better book,

UKmoths.co.uk is also useful.

[Geoff F]

Thanks for that useful link.

I must try to spend more time with caterpillars; but trying to learn hoverflies has rather limited my available time.