So another seven day period has concluded, the final complete one for the year, and just three adult moth species were recorded in the garden here during the course of it (Epiphyas postvittana, Winter Moth & Chestnut). The light was run on just four nights and two of those proved to be blanks, so the only ones to produce a result were the 23rd and 26th! Hardly surprising really thanks to the weather and I don't see things improving until we're into January.
Another caterpillar put in an appearance on a wooden bench near the light on the 28th. At 12mm in length it was obviously not a final instar and I have been unable to tie it down to species, although I suspect it may have been one of the lichen-eaters (either a Footman or one of the Cryphia species).
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| Caterpillar, Westcott 28th December |
Dave Wilton Westcott, Bucks
Hi Dave Its a Hoplodrina species. The coarse, curved hairs are characteristic. As you say its an early instar so not easy. Some photos of Vines on lepiforum are a good match but I wouldn't like to say for certain.
ReplyDeleteHi Martin,
ReplyDeleteThanks very much indeed for that - I was way off course then! Looking in the caterpillar field guide there are indeed some similarities between my larva and the final instar version of Vine's depicted there.