Can anyone identify these tent-dwelling caterpillars seen a few metres from the Thames at Runnymede this afternoon?
Thanks,
Dave
What are these caterpillars?
- Trev Sawyer
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Re: What are these caterpillars?
Poplar Sawfly larvae - Cladius grandis?
Trev
Trev
Re: What are these caterpillars?
Thanks, Trev. Not terribly attractive little things, are they?
Dave
Dave
- Trev Sawyer
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Re: What are these caterpillars?
Oh, I don't know Dave... Yellow with black spots is pretty smart I reckon. I suppose it warns predators they probably don't taste very nice. I don't think I would want to be housed inside their web though - some of those black dots are definitely not part of their general paintwork!
Trev
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Re: What are these caterpillars?
Small Ermine moth larvae... in some years will reach plague proportions!
- Pete Eeles
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Re: What are these caterpillars?
Good call, Chris.
There were loads of Spindle Ermine moth webs at Magdalen Hill Down yesterday, spotted by the many attendees of the UKB Photo Workshop.
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=427
Cheers,
- Pete
There were loads of Spindle Ermine moth webs at Magdalen Hill Down yesterday, spotted by the many attendees of the UKB Photo Workshop.
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=427
Cheers,
- Pete
Life Cycles of British & Irish Butterflies: http://www.butterflylifecycles.com
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Re: What are these caterpillars?
I've just looked up Ermine Moths on the web (pun intended, I'm afraid...). Some extraordinary images of vast areas covered in fine white silk. The nest I saw was a minor thing in comparison.
Dave
Dave