On the 9th April, 15 over wintered migrant Red Admiral caterpillars were found at a coastal location on the Lizard Peninsular, Cornwall. Although unusual to find the caterpillars of a migrant species at this time of year it wasn’t entirely … Read More
When photos of caterpillars start arriving from some of the most remote places in the British Isles then Spring must be on its way. Although, seeing the gale tossed Cornish sea this morning you might question it! This post wintering … Read More
Good news stories are always welcome, particularly when they combine children and wildlife. This one was received as background information to an enquiry from Carole Protherough about a caterpillar found on a school playing field in a small village in … Read More
Things are definitely on the up. This 25mm long Scarlet Tiger caterpillar photographed by Joe in Oxford was the pick of recent caterpillar sightings. Found on a watering can pressed against a wall it was probably warming up after a … Read More
Photos of this extraordinary Regal Moth caterpillar, Citheronia regalis, were sent in by Jonathan Pace. He recorded the caterpillar also known as the Hickory Horned Devil on a tree trunk in a cemetery in North Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. The … Read More
Photographs of several species of Hawk-moth caterpillars have been received in the last few days. Lime, Eyed and Poplar Hawk-moth caterpillars have all been recorded but the commonest by far has been the Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar. Last year this was … Read More
Two interesting images of the Red Sword – grass caterpillar were received in June. Helen Sly recorded a Red Sword-grass caterpillar in the RSPB Arne reserve in Dorset while Mark Jones took the photo shown right of one found by … Read More
Surprisingly the caterpillar of The Gothic Moth (Naenia typica) was the most enquired about species in March and April. The one photographed right by George Fowler was found under a plant pot. Although this moth is a fairly common species … Read More
This image of a large green and white caterpillar was sent in by wildlife guide Matthew Sussens whilst stationed at the Royal Malewane Lodge on the Thornybush Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa. South African moth expert Hermann Staude not only … Read More
It’s always pleasing when a search for a particular species actually pays off without undue hardship ! Last year at a stunning coastal bluebell spot lots of Scarlet Tiger moths, Callimorpha dominula, were noted flying one afternoon in a small … Read More
The highlight of last weeks trip to Trevose Lighthouse wasn’t the hoped for spectacular seawatching or early migrant birds this headland often produces but the numbers of caterpillars. On the sheltered south facing bank of the lane leading to the … Read More
Goat Moth Caterpillar Some fascinating caterpillar identification requests continue to arrive. This huge Goat Moth (Cossus cossus) caterpillar was sent in by Paul Sellens who had been reviewing images he’d taken last summer. At 100mm in length only the caterpillar … Read More
Over wintering caterpillars such as Oak Eggar, Drinker, Garden Tiger and Fox Moth are some of the hairy caterpillars seen in the last few days in various coastal sites here in the far south west of Cornwall. These early post-hibernating … Read More
Marsh Fritillary caterpillars It always seems remarkable how many species of caterpillars manage to survive the winter – particularly the last one! With the appearance of the sun several species of butterfly caterpillars have emerged from over wintering. Good numbers … Read More
It’s that time of the year when Hawk-moth caterpillars are on the move looking for somewhere to pupate in the soil. The caterpillars of Eyed Hawk-moth, Poplar Hawk-moth and Elephant Hawk-moth have all been see in the last week in … Read More
The Clouded Yellow Butterfly (Colias croceus) caterpillars being reared from collected eggs are growing rapidly and have been joined by an unexpected arrival. Clovers brought in from the garden three weeks ago to feed them happened to have a tiny … Read More