Caterpillar identification?

gecko · #1 (**permalink**) 26-09-2010, 09:03 PM

Hi,

I saw a caterpillar today that I would appreciate any ID suggestions for. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo. If anyone knows any good online resources or books for caterpillar ID, I'd appreciate that too.

The caterpillar was in the garden, actually on a stone slab, but plants in the area include honeysuckle, bay, roses and fuschias, amongst others.

It was about 30mm long (I think - possibly a bit bigger) and had a yellow stripe along the length of the body. It had two protuberances, 'horns' on its body.

I've been looking through some photographs, and the nearest I've seen so far is the grey dagger, which has the 'horns', but it's definitely not this - it was a more subtle beast!

Sorry for the vagueness, but it's been driving me mad all afternoon!

Thanks,

John

xSarahx · #2 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 04:42 PM

The yellow stripe and 2 horns definitely suggests grey dagger to me, but a photo would be needed for a positive ID.

peter2009 · #3 (**permalink**) 02-10-2010, 07:03 PM

Try Coxcomb Prominent.

peter

gecko · #4 (**permalink**) 03-10-2010, 11:03 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. Definitely not coxcomb prominent, it wasn't so green. The overall 'colour scheme' was more reminiscent of the caterpillar of the large white, but with a prominent yellow stripe and two little 'horns'. There's a chance it was a very muted example of the grey dagger, but I'm pretty certain it wasn't.

Thanks