Identify this caterpillar please!

MrsSmith · #1 (**permalink**) 22-12-2011, 10:10 AM

Two days before Christmas and I discovered this nondescript caterpillar. It is on one of the geraniums I am overwintering in the house. I'm sure geranium is not its natural food, so I'd like to find out what this is (moth? butterfly?) in order to feed it correctly. The caterpillar is two inches long, pale brown with faint chevron markings down its back. No hair, no distinguishing marks.

triops · #2 (**permalink**) 22-12-2011, 12:01 PM

I think it is the caterpillar of the Angle Shades moth, Phlogophora meticulosa. The caterpillar is quite variable and feeds on a large variety of low-growing plants.

MrsSmith · #3 (**permalink**) 23-12-2011, 06:54 AM

Thank you! I checked it before going to bed and it was happily chomping down the edge of the geranium leaf. I don't know what it is going to eat if it does go through its life-cycle and becomes a moth. This is an unfortunate time of year for it.

I'll go now and look it up.

Cheers! and a Happy Christmas to you!

lil_clowy · #4 (**permalink**) 27-02-2012, 06:55 PM

Hello. I tried to set up a new thread but couldn't work it out! lol
Can anyone help me identify a caterpillar please, I really want to find out what it is and why on earth I saw it out at this time of year!
Thank you !!

I was in East Mersea, Essex, which is right on the coast (north sea I beleive). Walking up the beach on the 25th Feb this year, I spot a small black hairy caterpillar, and on closing inspection I see it has a birght red face !! I tried to get some photos, but they were not very good as taken on my phone. It has no markings, no spots, no stripes, nothing. Just black with a red face. Hairy, kind of spikey. Small about 5cm long. I can't find anything anywhere and none of my books have any pictures of caterpillars. PLEASE HELP ME!! It's driving me mad !!