Tuesday 22 March 2016

Mystery caterpillar

A gentleman came into the office today wanting some id help. He took a photograph of this caterpillar in his garden in June 2014 - about 50mm apparently. Can anyone help out with a possible id? Thanks in advance.

4 comments:

  1. I think the bristly hair tufts look very reminiscent of Catocala nupta, possibly a young instar? I may well be way off though. :)

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  2. It looks to have three pairs of prolegs, which would rule out Red Underwing. How about Light Emerald - a geometrid that has an 'extra' pair of prolegs (3 pairs rather than the usual 2). Grows to 4cm which is within the realms of a slightly exaggerated '5cm'.

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  3. Looks like you hit the gem right on the head there.
    I was indeed well off.

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  4. Thanks both - I'm sure the gentleman in question will be very grateful too.

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