Ugly Caterpillar.

[JohnP]

I don't have an ID at present. This caterpillar was so hard to photograph and is the most difficult macro shot I've taken so far, it is hanging from the trees on a silk thread so thin you can't see it in the photos. There was a breeze which was causing the caterpillar to swing around in a circle of about four feet, trying to get a focus with a macro lens and 20mm extension tube was to say the least..... challenging... 

 

 

 

 

 

Canon EOS 60D, Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM
20mm Extensin Tube, Sigma Ringflash, 1/200s f/22.0 at 100.0mm iso400 

[annie]

will have a look in my book for you john..

[NannyFerret]

I had one of those drop out of a tree and onto my foot. I thought it was a twig off the tree.

It would be interesting to know what it is.

Good shot, but I won't say I like the caterpillar and I soon shook the one off my foot at the time.

[annie]

john, would you allow me to get this one identified properly. I am really interested in what it may be.

[JohnP]

john, would you allow me to get this one identified properly. I am really interested in what it may be.

 

No problem annie... I would like to know myself. At first I thought it was one of the Ermine Moth caterpillars, but I'm not really sure.

 

I've come across caterpillars hanging on threads before, I took this shot in June 2007... obviously a different species though.

 

[annie]

john just of the top of my head for these dangly ones, have a google of the spindle ermine moth...

 

I shall let you know the result of the ugly one when the experts get back to me..

[JohnP]

john just of the top of my head for these dangly ones, have a google of the spindle ermine moth...

 

I shall let you know the result of the ugly one when the experts get back to me..

 

annie... I often wish I had an head full of knowledge regarding these things... I keep plugging away but as fast as I learn something new something old has been forgotton... ain't getting old great... 

[annie]

Funny one this is john,

 

it could be a brimstone moth or one of the thorn moths, possibly a lunar thorn moth. seems they come in various shapes, sizes and colour variations, and are difficult to tell for sure.

[JohnP]

Well at least I found something unusual.

[NannyFerret]

I just looked in my Collins book of Butterflies and Moths and found the Feathered Thorn.

Not sure whether this is the same but it looks bumpy. Maybe at an earlier stages.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?source=search_app#sclient=psy-ab&q=feathered+thorn+caterpillar&oq=feathered+thom+caterpilllar&gs_l=hp.1.0.0i13.10064.38995.1.42003.19.19.0.0.0.0.267.2148.9j9j1.19.0...0.0.0..1c.1.17.psy-ab.IgCOgLFLhMA&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.48705608,d.d2k&fp=5ec14c681f1b0b5f&biw=1024&bih=513

 

I think you are right about the Brimstone moth, Annie. You are very good at identifying them.

 

In another Collins book. The colour put me off at first until I read that it can have grey or green on it.

 

The Brimstone Moth ( Opisthograptis  Luteolata)

 

Description.

Forwing 15-20mm. The brown flecks at the front of the bright yellow wings readily identify this moth.

 

Flight, April-October, in one or two broods; commonly attracted to lighted windows.

 

 

The caterpillar, up to 35mm,  is some shade of brown, often heavily t inged with grey or green, and has a marked twin pointed hump hump near the middle.

A looper with only two pairs of abdominal legs. 

It is extremely twig-like and not easy to spot.

It feeds on hawthorn and blackthorn and other rosaeceous trees and shrubs, including cultivated apples.

Winter is pass as chrysalis.

Habitat and range  Woods, hedgerows,and gardens. Most in Europe.

[annie]

all those caterpillars are hard to identify nanny as they are very similar, and can vary in colours and shapes and bumps. seem the only way would be to keep the caterpillar and rear it through fo a positive id. also where it was found, on what tree etc....that can give a big clue.