Amazing Caterpillar

Holy Heck! I found this guy hanging out in the Wisteria – quietly munching through some new shoots. He’s so amazing that I had to get my camera out and shoot him. Does anyone know what he will become? Something funky I bet.

Category: Chit-chat, Pests & Diseases     Tagged:

14 Comments on “Amazing Caterpillar”

  1. Whoa! That’s really creepy! Wish I knew what it was but I have no idea.

  2. Beautiful photo but difficult to identify without seeing its whole body.

    Are you in the US? If so, my suggestion is a White-Marked Tussock Moth, described as “Hairy with 3 long black tufts and 4 pairs of short, thick tufts that may be white or yellow. Body is yellow with a black stripe and red spots. Grows to approx 1 1/4 inches and feeds on many trees. Found in the eastern areas.” From: http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/america/popups/picture89.htm

  4. Of course, you’re not in America, what am I thinking about?! I’ll just have to keep searching and see what I can find.

  6. That is an impressive beasty! I have identified it as the caterpillar of the Vapourer moth.It is apparently quite common in the UK, although I have never seen one. It is quite common in the London areawhere it likes to live on decidous trees or shrubs.Care should be taken when handling as the hairs are irritant, and could cause a rash.That is a fine specimen, and a bloody good photo! Hope this helps, Karen

  7. A moth? Oh. I have to say I’m a bit disappointed. Well, I suppose moths can be funky, in a sort of ‘brown’ way.

  8. I discovered on of these on the allotment at the weekend and also thought that it must be a really exciting moth. I suppose the Vapourer moth is quite exciting in an understated sort of way.

    You have wonderful photos on your blog.

  9. In my American book there is a Rusty Tussock Moth caterpillar , Orgyia antiqqua that looks exactly like yours. The moth is brown with one small white spot on each top wing. I wonder if they are the the same?

  10. I was in my garden today and I suddenly had a thought about that poor Ian Tomlinson who was killed by that police thug trying to get home during the G20 protests.

    I do hope that the criminal police thug is bought to justice and as a murderer is hung.

    I would be happy to burn his body in my garden.

    Always make sure you are protected from police thugery they are killers

    love English

  11. I’ve just found your site after finding the same looking caterpillar on our washing! Couldn’t get my mob to take a good photo like yours, but they are stunning looking creatures (as caterpillars!!) Got ours in a glass til my son gets home from work, know he’ll be able to get camera to work!!!

  12. Hi there,
    I am in the U.S. and have found one of these guys just this morning on my daughters playscape. I quickly collected him as I was not sure what the heck it was and if or not it was poisonous. Thanks to all the photographers out there I have found out what it is, however it seems he has come a long way from home. Good luck to you all and happy fall!

  13. Hey!
    My boyfriend and I were on an evening stroll and ran into one of these little fellers.
    We named it Glimmer!
    Thanks for the info.(:
    GO CHEESHEADS!

    -Kenzie D.

  14. I have just found these on my Raspberries, I have never seen anything like them before its a first for me & my garden. They are very funky little things aren’t they ? Anyone know if we should be worried about having them ? As after googling them they seem to be pests in USA & Canada .