Mystery Caterpillar
Fishy65
Posts: 2,275
This was attached to a snapdragon near my outside tap. Its not a very clear picture maybe because the wind kept blowing it about.The caterpillar has these two white lines running the length of its body,quite dense reddish-brown hair. Any ideas folks?
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Eastern Tent caterpillar?
I didn't know that one Davey - had to look it up
I was going to take a stab at Buff Ermine or Brown Tail - courtesy of my bug book. It's not a reliable IDer but I couldn't resist looking it up.
Can't see it very well Fishy. Have a look at Brown tail moth and see what you think
In the sticks near Peterborough
I'm not going to lie, I googled the description given, but realise the caterpillar I suggested has only one white line so I guess that's ruled out.
Do a bit more googling Davey
My broadband is so narrow it's hard for me to do that. I'm relying on memory and that's a poor thing
In the sticks near Peterborough
I spotted an orange and black striped caterpillar on my new plot the other day, any idea's what that was
Davey, get googling
Which way did the stripes run Zoomer, lengthways or across. and was it hairy
In the sticks near Peterborough
Yes sorry about the pic,its not clear but I didn't want to upset the little fella. You know when they sense danger,they freeze don't they.Maybe thought I was a nasty Blackbird. OK the most likely looks to be buff ermine according to google. In fact the first caterpillar it showed was similar in hairiness but quite a light brown. However another photo showed a darker version which just goes to show how species can vary even within themselves.
On the Brown tail the white lines look too distinct? And I think my caterpillar is hairier. So...most likely a Buff Ermine? Shall we vote?
But thank you all so much,nobody else in my family is remotely interested and its great to have like-minded people whose expertise I can consult
I would have only been more excited if I found it on my own snapdragons, Fishy
That's the beauty of it Victoria