id please!!! (sorry no pics)

suetblocks · #1 (**permalink**) 27-05-2007, 05:25 PM

Hi i need your help again! I was once walking through a field and i saw a caterpillar possibly a larvae of something. it looked like a cockchafer grub-love those things

with a distinctive blue spike on the end of its tail. I know its not much to go by but it was not very striking apart from its blue spike any ideas to what it could be? thanks martin

Tursiops2 · #2 (**permalink**) 27-05-2007, 05:55 PM

Lime hawkmoth? Lime_hawkmoth
T2

suetblocks · #3 (**permalink**) 27-05-2007, 07:16 PM

YES thats the one. thankyou tursiops do you know if their common or not because id like to see some more. thankyou- martin

Tursiops2 · #4 (**permalink**) 27-05-2007, 07:47 PM

I don't actually know, not really my field, although I don't think they're great rarities. I'm sure someone else can tell you more

T2

GuyF · #5 (**permalink**) 27-05-2007, 08:13 PM

I think that if there are any mature Lime trees nearby there should be quite a few caterpillars around, they're one of the commoner hawkmoths in Britain.
If you look around carefully then you might find an adult moth, they're really spectacular, quite big and colourful.
Guy

suetblocks · #6 (**permalink**) 28-05-2007, 08:06 AM

Okay thankyou very much i will search on the next sunny day for more.

Lance Morgan · #7 (**permalink**) 29-05-2007, 08:07 AM

The adult moths are nocturnal and rest during the day. You will be lucky to see one on the bark of a tree. The caterpillars are difficult to spot on the leaves too as they are very well camouflaged. Best way is to look up against the sun through the leaves or 'beat' for them. Most often the caterpilars are seen when they come down from the tree and wander along the to find a pupation site under the ground. The cat in the picture is a good illustration of one that is about to pupate. Usually they are a lovely translucent green colour with a blue tail horn. They are of course harmless.