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Short fat ugly green caterpillar on poppy

michael.hookermichael.hooker Posts: 15
in The potting shed
Can anyone give me a clue what the larva in the photo will turn into?  It's a very slow-mover.  I'm guessing it will turn out to be a very dull small moth when it grows up.  It's a normal-size common poppy.  Thanks.

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 15,823
    I'm sure his mother thinks he's beautiful
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Victoria SpongeVictoria Sponge WearsidePosts: 2,960
    I thought it was a piece of the bud casing
  • michael.hookermichael.hooker Posts: 15
    Well spotted, thank you Victoria.  I was reluctant to poke at it, but having now done so, I discovered a small black caterpillar speeding away between the petals.  It is definitely vegetable, not animal, but it was attached to the petal with what looked like caterpillar silk, and is curled into a loose tube.  It has little black bits inside.  I wonder if it was preserved, as it were, because the caterpillar had set up home in it?
    I am all for wildlife in my tiny pocket-handkerchief urban flower and veg patch.
  • Big Blue SkyBig Blue Sky Posts: 580
    B3 said:
    I'm sure his mother thinks he's beautiful
    😂 
    Surrey
  • Victoria SpongeVictoria Sponge WearsidePosts: 2,960
    Some caterpillars do roll leaves and stick them together I assume as a shelter. It's nice that you let it be🙂
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