The biggest catterpillar I've ever seen!!

creepy crawlie · #1 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 01:07 PM

Hi everyone,
Just been in the Garden in Surrey and noticed this hugh green thing attached to my jumper. It was hugh, green, and had a hugh horn sticking up from its head. Never seen a caterpillar like it.
Can anyone help? Has anyone else seen one like this before?
Should have taken a picture but I was quite glad to get it off me!!.(I didn't harm it don't worry)

Lance Morgan · #2 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 01:13 PM

Sounds like a hawkmoth larva. Possibly a Privet hawk. The horn is on the tail and it is completely harmless.
Did it look like this?:

UKMoths - Privet Hawk-moth Sphinx ligustri

creepy crawlie · #3 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 01:17 PM

Yuck yes? (sorry a bit squeamish) But without the stripes.
Is it unusual or common?

creepy crawlie · #4 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 01:28 PM

Thanks for your quick reply, by the way. Actually on second glance I'm sure its horn was bigger than that.

Lance Morgan · #5 (**permalink**) 19-09-2006, 01:29 PM

Most of our resident hawkmoths are pretty common. It probably crawled onto you during its wandering to find somewhere to bury itself and pupate. I think their beautiful XX