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Orange Tip caterpillar?
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 3:09 pm
by peterc
I was searching for Orange Tip eggs this morning on my local patch and found 3 or 4 on garlic mustard in a few minutes then I found a caterpillar on one but I am not sure if it is an OT one though. As it happens an OT egg was laid higher up on the same plant.
I am afraid not the best quality photos - I need more practice
ATB
Peter
Re: Orange Tip caterpillar?
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 6:41 pm
by bugboy
Your caterpillar, I believe, is actually a Hoverfly larvae
. I've got some pictures of 1st instar OT pics in a recent post in my PD if you fancy checking it out.
Re: Orange Tip caterpillar?
Posted: Sat May 30, 2015 10:38 pm
by Tony Moore
Agreed. 1st instar OT larva is dirty yellow with lots of black dots.
T.M.
Re: Orange Tip caterpillar?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 6:19 am
by peterc
Thanks Buggy and Tony,
The more I look at it the more it's wishful thinking on my part
At least there should be further opportunities to take more shots in the next few weeks
ATB
Peter
Re: Orange Tip caterpillar?
Posted: Sun May 31, 2015 5:24 pm
by Tony Moore
If you look at any Lady's Smock atm, you are almost bound to find OT larvae. Look for characteristic feeding damage in the sepals covering the base of the flower buds. I found a cat yesterday on the second plant I looked at - only 2mm long, however, so you (or certainly, I ) need good specs
.
Tony M.