Saturday 20 August 2011

Unidentified Black Caterpillar

While clearing a patch of weeds this morning I spotted this caterpillar. I've looked at photos of black caterpillars until my eyes blurred over but haven't managed to positively trace it as yet. Length nearly 2in (50mm). My best guess is Elephant Hawk Moth.

Black Caterpillar

7 comments:

  1. Definitely looks like a hawkmoth caterpillar to me, but I'm not sure which species. What plant was it feeding on?

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  2. Hello Roger. Thanks for that. I'm pretty sure the area was full of Rosebay Willow Herb which would go with it being an Elephant Hawk Moth though the descriptions I have found indicate it should be about an inch longer and the 'eye' markings should be more prominent. Depends on its age maybe.

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  3. Can't help with the ID John, but he looks a big one.
    Nice capture.

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  4. John, I'm reasonably sure it's an Elephant Hawk Moth............a beauty.

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  5. Keith: It was a fair size! Thanks.

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  6. Adrian: A beauty in that form, They don't rush about in haphazard patterns. Some years ago I found an Elephant Hawk Moth in the garden so I guess they breed round here.

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  7. Thank you Keith. Yes. It was a tad on the large size.

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Thank you for visiting. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Any comment, or correction to any information or identification I get wrong, is most welcome. John

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