Apochima flabellaria caterpillar

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Apochima flabellaria caterpillar Malta © 2016 Gordon Zammit

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. He enquired about it after failing to find it in the British Isles Caterpillar galleries from which in the past he’d identified other species of Maltese caterpillars.

Indeed, many common moths and butterflies found in the British Isles are also resident in many other parts of Europe. However, it seems unlikely that Apochima flabellaria will ever be recorded in the British Isles due to its mainly extreme southerly distribution in Europe extending into North Africa.

Many of the photographs received of caterpillars from other parts of Europe not featured in the British caterpillar gallery will shortly be added to the site in separate galleries. Other galleries to be added will include those of caterpillars found in South Africa and other parts of Africa.

All images are welcome whether identified or not.

Many thanks to Gordon for the use of his photo and sighting of Apochima flabellaria.

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