Moth caterpillar ID, France

[Chris Jackson]

Hello moth experts,
I presume these are moth caterpillars. I feel that I would know if they were rhopalocera cats.
This nest of cats was seen today, 25 February, on a Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo) on the outskirts of Marseille.
They are about 8 mm long.
I really am out of my depth, but are those brown spots indicative of the Brown-tail (Euproctis chrysorrhoea) ?
Any ideas anyone ?
Thanks
Chris

context

an additional context photo just to annoy, before Russian snow arrives tomorrow

[bugboy]

If they were in the UK I would say brown-tail. Not sure if there are any European relatives that pose an id problem though.

[Chris Jackson]

Thanks Bugboy,
I didn't know whether the Brown Tail existed in the UK.
Chris

[Charles Nicol]

they look similar to this Euproctis chrysorrhoea caterpillar:

http://www.pyrgus.de/bilder1/lymantriid ... pe2010.jpg

[Chris Jackson]

they look similar to this Euproctis chrysorrhoea caterpillar:

http://www.pyrgus.de/bilder1/lymantriid ... pe2010.jpg

Thank you Charles. Yes, they do look similar.

[David M]

I hope these aren't detrimental to the health of TTP larvae using the same foodplant!

[Chris Jackson]

I hope these aren't detrimental to the health of TTP larvae using the same foodplant!

Hi David,
On this particular Strawberry Tree, there are no TTP cats.
I was intrigued by this nest and the (possibly) Brown-tail cats because someone had already pointed out a more mature Brown-tail cat nest on Blackthorn, so I'm feeling quite elated that I had actually learnt something and was able to relate to this particular nest.
That is what learning is about I suppose. Glad I'm making (albeit slow) headway.
Chris