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Help identify large caterpillar

  • 23-08-2013 7:21pm
    #1
    Captain Nemo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 ✭


    Hi,

    I was up in Portumna a few days ago, and went for a stroll in the forest walk. Along the way we saw the largest caterpillar I've ever seen, a little over 4 inches long when fully extended - it's slightly smaller in the pic as it was contracted and trying to bury under the stones on the ground. Here's the pic with a 2 euro coin for scale.

    Could anyone tell me what species it is?


Comments

  • #2
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,315 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    I think it's the same as this one:
    http://www.nhm.ac.uk/natureplus/thread/2429
    A Goat Moth caterpillar.


  • #3
    Captain Nemo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 ✭Captain Nemo


    Yep, that definitely appears to be it. Thanks for replying so quickly. My 4yo daughter was absolutely fascinated by it! I did a quick search for it (now that I know its name) and seems quite uncommon. Just glad it doesn't appear to be an invasive species.

    I seem to recall mention of a website for recording sightings of wildlife species - but can't find it now. Not sure whether this would be worth submitting though.

    Thanks again


  • #4
    spurious
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 27,315 CMod ✭✭✭✭spurious


    You could write, or get your daughter to 'write' to that guy in the irish Times. I think Michael Viney is his name. They might even publish it. She'd love that.


  • #5
    Captain Nemo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3 ✭Captain Nemo


    Think she'd love that - even if it wasn't published. We have nice pic of her admiring it!:)


  • #6
    Dindsenchas
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20 ✭Dindsenchas


    spurious wrote: »
    You could write, or get your daughter to 'write' to that guy in the irish Times. I think Michael Viney is his name. They might even publish it. She'd love that.

    That's a great idea spurious!

    Sorry to butt in here,but when you mentioned Michael Viney,I just couldn't resist!I'm not his publicist(honest!),but he wrote a beautiful book back in the late 90's called 'A Year's Turning' which I'd highly recommend to anyone with the remotest interest in wildlife,nature and the Irish countryside.It chronicles a year in the life of the author and his wife as they embark on a self-reliant existence on a remote cottage farm in Co.Mayo.It's very much a heartwarming read and one which I return to from time to time.


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  • #7
    Dindsenchas
    Closed Accounts Posts: 20 ✭Dindsenchas


    Captain Nemo wrote: »
    Yep, that definitely appears to be it. Thanks for replying so quickly. My 4yo daughter was absolutely fascinated by it! I did a quick search for it (now that I know its name) and seems quite uncommon. Just glad it doesn't appear to be an invasive species.

    I seem to recall mention of a website for recording sightings of wildlife species - but can't find it now. Not sure whether this would be worth submitting though.

    Thanks again

    This is a link to the National Biodiversity Data Centre where you can record your sightings:

    http://www.biodiversityireland.ie/.


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