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
The commonest hairy caterpillar being sighted from many American States at the moment seems to be the caterpillar of the American Dagger Moth, Acronicta Americana. These wonderfully hairy caterpillars may look cuddly enough but their hairs have been known to … Read More
The box tree caterpillars of the Pyralid moth Cydalima perspectalis featured in a latest sighting earlier in the year from outside Paris, France (French caterpillar pest) are now reported to be breeding in many gardens in the south east. The … Read More
This photo of an amazingly hairy caterpillar, estimated at well over 100 mm in length, was taken in Malawi, Africa by Carter M. Chaisson and sent in by her friend Weston Lipka. I’ve received photos of some astonishing looking caterpillars … Read More
When this emailed photo arrived I assumed it was of a species of Tiger Swallowtail butterfly caterpillar from either Canada or the USA. The very similar Canadian Tiger Swallowtail, Eastern Tiger Swallowtail and Western Swallowtail are common butterflies in North … Read More
This sighting of a splendid Striped Hawk-moth caterpillar (Hyles livornica) came about thanks to an identification enquiry received from Gareth Marshall who was holidaying on the Roseland Peninsular in Cornwall. It’s the first time I’ve ever been on a caterpillar … Read More
When sightings come in of caterpillars found on cultivated flowers and from inside buildings quite often they turn out to be caterpillars of the migrant moth the Scarce Bordered Straw (Helicoverpa armigera). Carol Littlewood north of the border in Montrose … Read More
Recent sightings suggest that the caterpillars from the influx of migrant Bordered Straws (Heliothis peltigera) earlier in the year are now chomping through garden dahlias, petunias and penstemons in parts of the southern half of the country. Jeff Farley enquired … Read More