Big brown, black-spotted caterpillar

GypsyMoth · #1 (**permalink**) 26-05-2011, 07:02 AM

Found this guy on the road under some oak and nut trees. Very active, I think may be looking for a place to pupate. Have searched practically the entire internet and can't identify it. Looks a bit like elephant hawkmoth, but isn't. Tiny, fine hairs. Can anyone help? This is in central Italy.

Thanks!
Kirsty

htcdude · #2 (**permalink**) 26-05-2011, 07:18 AM

Hi Kirsty,

I can't help with the ID, I'm bad enough with British ones let alone foreign ones!

If no one can help on here, try the sister site - Wild About The World.

Worldwide Wildlife and Environment Forum

Nige

GypsyMoth · #3 (**permalink**) 26-05-2011, 07:34 AM

Hi, thanks for the link, I'll try over there. Not holding out much hope though - I've trawled through hundreds of photos in the galleries and can't find anything that matches. I'm going to have to let him go in a minute - he's racing round his cage like crazy, doesn't want any of the different leaves I've put out for him, and is clearly not happy!

Kirsty

htcdude · #4 (**permalink**) 26-05-2011, 07:51 AM

Yeah I think you should let him go find somewhere to settle, you have a photo after all so you can refer back to it to get an ID later in time

Nige

GypsyMoth · #5 (**permalink**) 26-05-2011, 08:02 AM

Ok I just took him outside and put him back exactly where I found him (dirt road), and he made a beeline for the verge, went under a couple of dead oakleaves amongst the long grass, and there he is now. I've marked the spot and will go back and see what he's done later. I'm thinking maybe he wanted to burrow? I'll report back if I find the chrysalis.

Kirsty