Vapourer moth caterpillar

[fatandy]

Given that some of you can't see my butterfly picture, I'll try posting another and see if you can see that. This was one of about 50 vapourer moth caterpillars that ate the leaves of my apple tree in a day last year.

FA x

[sweetleaf]

Wow! I cant believe the detail!


I need to get to grips with OH`s evil camera, it doesnt like me, you know

[alicat]

Hi Andy

I could see your Butterfly photo's, great pictures and your bird ones.

I'm sure I have had this chap in my garden also, here is my picture do you think they are the same ? Afraid my pictures aren't as good as yours.

[alicat]

Me again just had a google, and found this. (see below) since taking the photo I have always wondered what type of moth/catterpillar it is. We enjoy moth/ butterfly spotting when we are on holiday - although we didn't see many this year.

www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o316-vapourermoth.php

You know, to me I think the moth looks very insignificant compared to the catterpillar. And I have to say that after reading the write up I am surprised that we found him in our garden. - not many oak trees around or deciduous trees or shrubs around here that I know of.

Forgot to say after having 50 of these chaps eating your apple tree did the tree survive?

[fatandy]

alicat said:

Me again just had a google, and found this. (see below) since taking the photo I have always wondered what type of moth/catterpillar it is. We enjoy moth/ butterfly spotting when we are on holiday - although we didn't see many this year.

www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o316-vapourermoth.php

You know, to me I think the moth looks very insignificant compared to the catterpillar. And I have to say that after reading the write up I am surprised that we found him in our garden. - not many oak trees around or deciduous trees or shrubs around here that I know of.

Forgot to say after having 50 of these chaps eating your apple tree did the tree survive?

Hi Alicat

Yes, I think they are one and the same. They are quite a nice looking caterpillar compared to the adult moth.

I usually use this site www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/ when I'm trying to identify a caterpillar I've seen.

Yes, my apple tree did survive.....just ! It was new last year, not much more than a sapling and they took every leaf off in less than a day. Fortunately, it was ok.

FA x

[4pygmies]

Aren't they stunning? You could forgive such a glorious beastie munching our trees couldn't you (almost)? They look like one of Mick's more peculiar cacti - what a fantasic world we live in.

[Sleepy]

Wow! Nice pictures.

Ali, are those caterpillars really 2 foot long?

They are like something from Doctor Who!

[alicat]

fatandy said:

alicat said:

Me again just had a google, and found this. (see below) since taking the photo I have always wondered what type of moth/catterpillar it is. We enjoy moth/ butterfly spotting when we are on holiday - although we didn't see many this year.

www.plantpress.com/wildlife/o316-vapourermoth.php

You know, to me I think the moth looks very insignificant compared to the catterpillar. And I have to say that after reading the write up I am surprised that we found him in our garden. - not many oak trees around or deciduous trees or shrubs around here that I know of.

Forgot to say after having 50 of these chaps eating your apple tree did the tree survive?

Hi Alicat

Yes, I think they are one and the same. They are quite a nice looking caterpillar compared to the adult moth.

I usually use this site www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/ when I'm trying to identify a caterpillar I've seen.

Yes, my apple tree did survive.....just ! It was new last year, not much more than a sapling and they took every leaf off in less than a day. Fortunately, it was ok.

FA x

Cheers Andy, for the site. I have another caterpillar to id so I will have a good look for it. If I have no luck I will post it on here to see if you recognise it. - if thats ok of course.

A.x

Ps. Hope things are on a more even keel for you now.