Massive caterpillar, help identifying?

chisel

The kids found this in the garden this evening, anyone know what it is (or what it will turn into)?

I've never seen one this big before!!





When touched or disturbed he could withdraw his head inside and the pattern looks like eyes of a bigger bug - undoubtedly a protection mechanism.



These are a childs hands, but you get a good idea of the size - about 80-100mm long and 12mm diameter:




Thanks for any info!!

magicbastarder

post it to the nature and bird watching section.

chisel

Actually, I just found it: its a elephant hawk moth caterpillar.

After burying itself in the ground for the winter, it turns into this:



Another view:

magicbastarder

that's the gayest moth i've ever seen.

pearljamfan

my skin is crawling right now:eek:

magicbastarder

ever see a stag beetle larva? fantasic looking, looks like a maggot the size of your little finger.

Nforce

Jesus!!!:eek:...all you need now are a pair of kangaroo's testicles and you can create your own version of "I'm A Celebrity..."

sheesh

fabulous moth is faaaabulous


pretty cool find!

goldseeker

Found those couple of weeks ago,beside my workpalece.Looked dazled in the daylight


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chisel

At the other end of the size scale, found this fella scurrying across the tar 2 nights ago. He realy is very small - you can see the scale compared to the stones in the tar. He was moving vey quickly so it was hard to get any kind of a decent shot.

Very hairy, lemon yellow, very distinct red "horn" at tail, 2 humps and black colouring between the humps when he extends. Overall length about 20mm, diameter minus hair about 4mm.

I am just amazed at this fella. I can't conceive of the evolutionary advantage such markings would give this lad








I believe its a pale tussock moth caterpillar, moth is this fella:




Fran

Mycroft H

^^ looks like a fishermans fly


I remember calling them "hairy mollys" when i was small

vixdname

This is a "Pale Tussock" that I found in the garden today.



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chisel

Cool - and yet completely mad looking aren't they?

Its kinda mind blowing to try and imagine the evolutionary advantage it gave these fellas to look like that....

kincsem

Mothman is the moth man.

CabanSail

Spring is almost here. Just wait until I start to post some real creepy crawlies!