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
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
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
Caerleon Cove, Poltesco on the Lizard, Cornwall is managed by the National Trust and one of our favourite places to photograph wildlife. Its diverse surrounding habitat of sea cliffs, heathland and deciduous woodland always seem to provide a good list … Read More
The first migrant Death’s-head Hawkmoth caterpillar (Acherontia atropos), sighting of the year arrived this week from Joanna Turton in Hertfordshire. As is customary it was greeted by a ‘oh, what a pity, why couldn’t it have been in my garden’ … Read More
It seems appropriate that the 500th caterpillar enquiry of the year was for an Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar, Deilephila elpenor. Ever since the Wildlife Insight website went live, 5 years ago, the Elephant Hawk-moth has been the most commonly enquired about … Read More