Garden Tiger moth Caterpillar. Photo: George McCabe
This Garden Tiger moth caterpillar was seen by George crossing Icen Lane, Weymouth on 26/05/18.
This caterpillar’s foodplants are numerous, from flowers to vegetables . After feeding for a few months the caterpillar goes into dormancy in leaf litter. When it emerges it pupates inside a cocoon spun in low lying vegetation using it’s own hairs and spun silk. The adult moth appears in 2-4 weeks during July – August, depending on weather.
Peacock Caterpillar. Photo: George McCabe
George saw this Peacock caterpillar at Bincombe, Weymouth on 25/08/2017.
He said he saw
A Peacock caterpillar motoring down Ican Lane
Probably desperately searching for its foodplant: nettles, where it will feed and then pupate before emerging as one of the UK’s favourite resident butterflies.
Dom Greves, the techie behind all the impressive bits of this website, has videoed Lulworth Skipper caterpillars in action. Continue reading
Painted Lady caterpillar. Photo: Karen Williams
A wonderfully late find by Karen Williams of a Painted Lady caterpillar found in the car-park at Brandy Row, Chiswell on Portland on 11/10/2016. The butterfly, which is a migrant to Britain each year, is continuously brooded on the continent but here in the UK, the species is unable to survive our winters at any stage and so the butterflies will either die or make a return flight to North Africa.
Pine Hawkmoth caterpillar. Photo: Keith Beswick
A spectacular looking Pine Hawkmoth caterpillar found walking across the pavement on The Avenue in Westbourne on 28/08/2016, most likely looking for somewhere to pupate.
Drinker caterpillar. Photo: David Wareham
A caterpillar of the Drinker moth, photographed at Hengistbury Head on 23/08/2016.
Buff Tip caterpillar. Photo: David Wareham
A good find by David Wareham of a Buff Tip caterpillar at Talbot Heath on 25/08/2016.
Hummingbird hawk-moth caterpillar. Photo: Andrew Cooper
A first for Andrew Cooper’s Bournemouth garden; a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum) caterpillar, feeding on Bedstraw in his window pot. Photo taken on 09/08/2016.
Peacock caterpillars. Photo: Dave Law
Dave Law “stumbled across” this batch of near fully grown Peacock caterpillars along the bank of the River Stour near Sturminster Newton on 13/07/2016. In a very short time these will move into their chrysalis stage, and within a few weeks, into adult butterflies.
Dave Law brings us this exciting news: “A walk along the Dorset coast from Ringstead Bay to Durdle Door revealed the offspring of the Painted Lady feeding on thistles . Virtually every clump revealed near fully grown larvae. Prepare for a summer emergence in the next 2-3 weeks!” Continue reading