Oak Processionary Moth caterpillars create amazing patterns when resting in large numbers on the trunks of oak trees. They’re also fascinating to watch when on the move, walking head to tail in a long processional line, hence their name. However, … Read More
This Jersey Tiger moth caterpillar was a welcome surprise. Not only had it survived the winter as a tiny, 3 mm long caterpillar but it was already 25 mm long and half grown by the time I found it. A … Read More
Some sun at last encouraged several caterpillars to show yesterday at Polly Joke on the north Cornish coast. 3 Scarlet Tiger caterpillars were sunning themselves on nettle leaves, 2 Drinker Moth caterpillars were on bramble leave and 2 Fox moth … Read More
The Catalonia region of Spain is well known for having some wonderful butterflies. One of the most beautiful is the stunning Swallowtail Butterfly, Papilio machaon. Lieve De Strooper took this great photo of one feeding on zinnia flowers in her … Read More
These three sightings of very different looking caterpillars were recorded in Germany. A magnificent Goat Moth caterpillar was seen by Eva Almajan near the Krumme Lanke Lake in Berlin. While, in Bavaria, Germany, Normajean Spencer spotted a green form of … Read More
This Giant Swallowtail (Papilio crespontes) butterfly caterpillar, also known as the Orange Dog, was feeding on a Lemon Tree in Bell, Florida. In the United States and many other countries worldwide the caterpillars of several species of Swallowtail butterfly feed … Read More
This fascinating caterpillar sighting was made in Guyana, South America. Andrea Stephenson recorded as many as twenty caterpillars known locally as Hairy Worms feeding on her juniper tree. These 2.5 inch long, distinctively marked caterpillars appeared harmless enough but the … Read More
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