‘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

Fijian Hawkmoth caterpillars The Hawkmoth Cephonodes armatus is an endemic species to Fiji and The Mariana Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. These photographs of their boldly coloured caterpillars were received from Drew Bristow on Drawaqa Island, Fiji where an … Read More

Despite cold strong north easterlies at the weekend Marsh Fritillary caterpillars were stirring at a site in south west Cornwall. In brief spells of sunshine several webs of larvae appeared on the surface of a sheltered coastal bank. Hopefully there … Read More

A moth from the middle of the South Atlantic An interesting identification query recently arrived from the remote little island of St Helena, in the middle of the South Atlantic. The photo of a green larva (caterpillar) was sent in … Read More

Red Admiral and Silver Y caterpillars overwintering in Cornwall UK Three Red Admiral butterfly caterpillars, Venessa atalanta, and one Silver Y moth caterpillar, Autographa gamma, were found on nettles alongside the Helford Estuary in Cornwall on the 30th of January. … Read More

Black and white striped caterpillar Ask a child to draw a caterpillar and they may well come up with one that looks like this. But these caterpillars with bold black and creamy white stripes, long whispy black tail horn, orange … Read More

This photo of a Silver-striped Hawkmoth caterpillar, Hippotium celerio, was received by email on Christmas Day from Julie Dawson. Julie was in mountains near Frigiliana in Andalusia in Southern Spain walking her dog when – ‘I came across the most … Read More

Cornwall may be buried in winter gales but a touch or warmth is received daily in the form of emailed photos of stunning caterpillars from much warmer climates. In the last few days alone some fascinating photos of caterpillars from … Read More

While enjoying the sunshine at the National Trust managed Kynance Cove on the Lizard this Painted Lady butterfly was warming up on the rocks nearby. There doesn’t seem to have been so many this year although we have found a … Read More

It may be unseasonably mild here in Cornwall but the rain and strong winds don’t exactly inspire one to get out. At times like this thoughts turn to past sunny holidays abroad. One of our most memorable one was to … Read More

This Unarmed Stick-insect,Acanthoxyla inermis, found on the 12th October is only the 2nd in the garden this year. In past years they’ve been found in all parts of the garden and even turned up in first floor bedrooms as winter … Read More