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Caterpillar ID

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 4:01 pm
by Sylvie_h
I am having problems with the identification of this caterpillar found feeding on Umbellifers (Pant Y Sais fen NR near Swansea).
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Thanks a lot for your help with this.
Sylvie

Re: Caterpillar ID

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 4:03 pm
by Sylvie_h
I forgot to mention that it was found on 26th July.
Sylvie

Re: Caterpillar ID

Posted: Sun Oct 11, 2020 5:08 pm
by Allan.W.
Possibly Dark Arches or one of the other Arches,(Apamea sp;) Sylvie.....................Happy to be corrected !
Regards Allan.W.

Re: Caterpillar ID

Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2020 7:40 am
by Mikhail
I fear this is one of the dreaded "micros", Sylvie; almost certainly the Parsnip Moth Depressaria radiella. It is one of a number of species that feed on the flowers of various umbellifers.

M.

Re: Caterpillar ID

Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2020 4:06 pm
by Allan.W.
Yes ,i must admit ,I couldn,t find anything that fed on umbellifers in my field guides,so probably a good call !
Regards Allan.W.

Re: Caterpillar ID

Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2020 8:19 pm
by MrSp0ck
Looks like a sawfly larva to me

Re: Caterpillar ID

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2020 8:24 am
by Mikhail
I refer you to the illustration on page 145 of the Field Guide to the Micro Moths of Great Britain and Ireland.

M.

Re: Caterpillar ID

Posted: Tue Oct 13, 2020 12:03 pm
by Sylvie_h
Thanks Mikhail, I will make a search for Depressaria radiella, it is a good start I think.
Thanks Alan, I thought it was one of the Arches at first but gave up on this trail as the food plant was not right for Arches.
Sylvie