Identify yellow green caterpillar on seawall, wallasea island, essex

rockape65 · #1 (**permalink**) 26-08-2011, 08:36 PM

HI,

saw this crossing the North seawall on wallasea island, rochford, essex. it was about 2" long. Any ideas what it is?? Thank you.

[url=http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/archive/showphoto.php?photo=173723]

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Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 31-08-2011, 09:29 AM

Difficult to see photo but looks like it could be a clouded yellow butterfly which is a good find.

rockape65 · #3 (**permalink**) 01-09-2011, 07:02 AM

Thanks for the info Lance, Sorry about the photo, I didn't realise it wouldn't expand, I'll re-post it so you can have a better look. Once again many thanks

Ian

Lance Morgan · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 08:21 AM

Thanks ian that's better. it is not a clouded yellow but a moth larva.

poschiavanus · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2011, 02:39 PM

Looks like Star-wort Cucullia asteris is a decent possibility (Plate 37-A in Porter). The caterpillar's head should have been densely speckled. Several images can be found by Googling.