Caterpillar in compost bin for ID

[JoanE007]

I spotted these in the compost bin earlier this evening - I think they must be visitors from Lancashire courtesy of a bunch of gladioli that my MIL bought down from her garden last week. I noticed what I thought might be caterpillar poo on the hearth where they had been standing but thought no more about it.

Anyway, I put the past it flowers in the bin earlier today and when I went out later with some other stuff I found these two at the top.





I'd like to know if poss

Which caterpillars are they?

Shall I leave them in the bin and if I do are they likely to survive and pupate etc?

If I take them out what kind of plants should I put them on, are they likely to eat anything - I don't grow gladioli

Many thanks

[healfdan]

I am not 100% certain but to me your caterpillar looks remarkably like a cut worm, which is the caterpillar of a noctuid moth. During the first two or three weeks of their development they can be found above ground after which time they dig into the earth and feed off the roots of their particular host plant. Be well worth checking out before you think of introducing them to your garden, as they can be very damaging.

[JoanE007]

Thank you for the id and for the advice healfdan I shall look that one up and see what more I can find out about it.

[Dogghound]

This looks like a leser yellow underwing, or similar. A species which remains above ground level, it was probably looking for an overwintering site in the compost, and should'nt be much of a threat to your plants.