Eyecatching caterpillar

[dragnil]

Doing some gardening today (Lincs UK) and found this chap in an oak tree. I've tried Google and am thinking that it's a sort of Tussock Moth - or am I barking up the wrong tree?
Apart from the colour and that "tail" the most noticeable feature was the gloss black bodywork between the segments.
Any help with identification would be gratefully received.
David

[Tony Moore]

Hi David,

You are right - it is a Pale Tussock (Calliteara pudibunda) - quite a rude sounding scientific name, that! . It should pupate soon in a silken cocoon amongst leaf litter. The moth will appear next May/June.

Tony M.

[dragnil]

Thanks, Tony, I'm off to the pub 'cos I got one right! I started here by simply asking what things were, then became a little more confident (cocky?) and said what I thought they were but always wrong...
We're never too old to stop learning or taking an interest.
Thanks again,
David