The 1000th identification enquiry of the year arrived at the weekend. Appropriately it was the Vapourer moth caterpillar, Orgyia antigua. A species that for the last 8 years has featured in the top three most frequently enquired about species An … Read More

Weather continues very hot here in Cornwall. On the coast cooling winds are always welcome. At Trevose Headland on the North Atlantic coast several Dark Green Fritillary Butterflies, Argynnis aglaja, were active along the headland. As were several Hummingbird Hawkmoths. … Read More

Many sightings of Gypsy Moth caterpillars have been received in the last few weeks. In the UK most sightings have been from gardens in London and the south east. Isabella Read sent in the photo shown of a Gypsy moth … Read More

Thousands of large caterpillars everywhere! In the Twentynine Palms region of the US state of California huge numbers of caterpillars appeared last month in residential areas, on roads, fences and open ground. These were the caterpillars of the White-lined Sphinx, … Read More

Amongst the increasing number of moths, butterflies and caterpillar sightings being received from the African continent have been some fascinating records from Zambia. This amazing caterpillar, Pachymeta robusta, also known as the Msasa worm, is one of many sightings received … Read More

The weather may have turned unsettled in south west Cornwall but overwintering Red Admiral butterflies and caterpillars seem to be surviving The occasional Red Admiral butterfly in flight and their caterpillars are now recorded in every month. However, Large White … Read More

Caterpillars on Lichen Some lichen feeding caterpillars are so cryptically well marked that searching for them just by staring moronically for hour upon hour into a hedge is a thankless task. Tell me about it! Thankfully, there is an easier … Read More

Early last year I received a request for a photograph of a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary butterfly egg. Nothing unusual there, except this enquiry hadn’t come from either a conservation body, the editor of a natural history publication or an educational … Read More

The very mild weather continued here in southwest Cornwall well into late Autumn and early winter. This provided the ideal opportunity to attract more migrant moths to light with the hope of them laying eggs which could then be reared … Read More

Since the last report more sightings of giant Death’s-head Hawkmoth caterpillars have been received. In south east Cornwall Wendy Zealey recorded the one shown above left on the edge of woodland and Susan Knowles found the beauty shown above right … Read More

‘Striking blue caterpillar seen this morning’ If ever a reminder was needed that nature has the potential to surprise then this emailed caterpillar photo from Elizabeth Deas provided it! Different coloured forms of caterpillar are common amongst many broods of … Read More

Since the last news item there have been many fascinating caterpillar sightings from the around the world. Including the first ones received from Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Java and Bulgaria. There have also been many sightings from states all across the US … Read More

This stunning Candy-striped Flatworm, Prostheceraeus vittatus was found while rock pooling near the mouth of the Helford Estuary in Cornwall. The crystal clear water enabled us to take this short video of it moving gracefully around the pool. A truly … Read More

Several Silver-studded Blue butterfly caterpillars (Plebejus argus) were found on Bird’s-foot Trefoil at the weekend in the sand dunes of Penhale in Cornwall. All were of the green form whereas in past years an almost equal number of the brown … Read More

An afternoon spent searching amongst the huge expanse of sand dunes at Penhale on the North Cornish Coast was most rewarding. As well as finding the hoped for Grizzled Skippers and Dingy Skippers we came across this pair of magnificent … Read More

This necklace of over wintered Lackey moth eggs was found while searching for larvae beside the South West Coast Path at Porthgwarra , one of the best sea watching places in the extreme south west of Cornwall. The caterpillars had … Read More

South African Hawkmoth caterpillars Sightings of two of the largest species of Hawkmoth caterpillar to be found in Africa have been received in the last few days. Dirk Kotze came across this Oleander Hawkmoth caterpillar, Daphnis nerii, at Little Falls … Read More

This photo of the caterpillar of Apochima flabellaria was received from Gordon Zammit in Malta. It’s an unusually spiky looking geometrid moth caterpillar with black outlined orange spiracules. Gordon found it feeding on cultivated broad beans not indigenous to Malta. … Read More