Extensive caterpillar webs of several species of tiny Ermine Moth, micro moth family Yponomeutidae, are being sighted in many parts of the UK. The small caterpillars of Ermine species are often difficult to identify, particularly when inside the silk … Read More
Convict Caterpillars eating lilies and amaryllis. In recent days there have been several sightings from Florida in the US of the Convict Moth caterpillar. These are the boldly marked black and white striped caterpillars of the Spanish Moth (Xanthopastis regnatrix) … Read More
May caterpillars In May large numbers of moth and butterfly eggs hatch. These tiny caterpillars feast on the buds and new leaves of a wide variety of plants. As well as these young caterpillars there are also species which have … Read More
Recent moth, butterfly and caterpillar sightings have included several Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillars. Two have been from the Isle of Wight. Violet Mareck found one munching leaves on her Olive Tree. While Sharon Pagnell recorded a yellow form on a … Read More
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
Many sightings of Gypsy Moth caterpillars have been received in the last few weeks. Gypsy moth information page. In the UK most sightings have been from gardens in London and the south east. Isabella Read sent in the photo shown … 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
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
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
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
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