Posted by Sean Bolton on August 19, 2006 at 12:22 PM
Hi All
Busy spending a day sorting out my Cornwall holiday snaps from back in July and I am having trouble deciding what species this Caterpillar is. My ID books don't cover caterpillars very well, I think it is a moth, probably a Hawk Moth of some description but I wondered if anyone from UKNP could ID accurately.
A super caterpillar too, it looks just like the ones I used to see in kids books when I was 5! I saw quite a few of these when walking on the coastal footpath in Cornwall.
Barries ID is correct, a very nice image of it as well, might just clone over that bit of different coloured bg top left, but appreciate you posted for ID...
Discussion
4 repliesBusy spending a day sorting out my Cornwall holiday snaps from back in July and I am having trouble deciding what species this Caterpillar is. My ID books don't cover caterpillars very well, I think it is a moth, probably a Hawk Moth of some description but I wondered if anyone from UKNP could ID accurately.
A super caterpillar too, it looks just like the ones I used to see in kids books when I was 5! I saw quite a few of these when walking on the coastal footpath in Cornwall.
cheers
Sean
It's a 4th or maybe 5th final instar Emperor Moth larva (Saturnia pavonia)- the only member of the Silkmoth family found in the UK.
Nice photo by the way
Barrie
Thanks for the ID. Much appreciated.
cheers
Sean
Wouldn't be able to help with the I.D but a great shot anyway!
Regards Chris.
Barries ID is correct, a very nice image of it as well, might just clone over that bit of different coloured bg top left, but appreciate you posted for ID...
All the best
Phil