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Beautiful caterpillar

JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
in Wildlife gardening
Been away for a week and assessing the damage, I’ve come across this beauty.



Id rather it didn’t much my violas, so is there anywhere I can escort it to so it can cocoon elsewhere?  I’ve a few shady/woody parts but I don’t know if they’re appropriate with only weeds to munch on.

Thanks TP
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  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    edited June 2018
    It's mum knew the right place to lay her eggs ... I'd leave it where it is.  I find that violas don't last much longer than this once temperatures start to rise, and from the size of it I think it'll be pupating before too long.  

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,384
    edited June 2018
    Looks like the caterpillar of the the Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata.)  If it is, they feed on Ribes leaves so move it to a current bush (edible or ornamental) and it should be fine.

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Mullein caterpillar. They like buddleia if you need to move it somewhere.
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    BobTheGardener said:
    Looks like the caterpillar of the the Magpie Moth (Abraxas grossulariata.)  If it is, they feed on Ribes leaves so move it to a current bush (edible or ornamental) and it should be fine.

    Thanks, I’m not sure it is because this one is different in several ways.

    The head is not black.
    The body is a definite pale blue.
    The stripes are a continuous, strong yellow.
    The legs/clampers are not black.

    I can’t find anything a better match though!
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    Tin pot said:

    I can’t find anything a better match though!
    I think WE gave you the ident - 'verbascum caterpillar' as someone else called it here the other day
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I think that was me... here's a couple finishing my verbascum

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,093
    edited June 2018
    That was it - sorry Pete. I have Sunday Fluff for Brains :blush:
    Gardening on the edge of Exmoor, in Devon

    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    I'm not sure it is a mullein actually. The yellow stripe is wrong. Probably the same genus but a less common species. Can you get any more pics?
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • JoeXJoeX Posts: 1,783
    wild edges said:
    I'm not sure it is a mullein actually. The yellow stripe is wrong. Probably the same genus but a less common species. Can you get any more pics?
    I’ve just tried to find it again but it’s moved on, leaving a brown line on the stem it was on.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    6 spot Burnet moth maybe?

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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