Strange caterpillar - anyone know what it is?

[Serial_Apologist]

The nearest I have been able to find is the grouping known as Tussock Moths - all of which have the "feelers" at the front and the rear dorsal protuberance. They're all hairier than my specimen, however; none has the colouring of mine, and none have the side protuberances.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Peach Blossom Moth?

Isn't that a line from A Midsummernight's Dream?

[umslopogaas]

If there's a possibility that it might be a quarantine organism, DEFRA ought to be alerted. The Central Science Laboratories just outside York will have entomologists who can identify it from your description. The phone no. is 01904 465625.

But check out the Peach Blossom Moth suggestion as well: I dont know if that is a quarantine pest, but it might be, it isnt mentioned in any of my books on UK fruit and associated problems.

[Serial_Apologist]

If there's a possibility that it might be a quarantine organism, DEFRA ought to be alerted. The Central Science Laboratories just outside York will have entomologists who can identify it from your description. The phone no. is 01904 465625.

But check out the Peach Blossom Moth suggestion as well: I dont know if that is a quarantine pest, but it might be, it isnt mentioned in any of my books on UK fruit and associated problems.

The Peach Blossom Moth caterpillar really does look quite different.

[umslopogaas]

I think you should give Central Science Labs a call first thing on Monday.

Take great care if you have to handle them, the hairs on hairy caterpillars can be painfully irritant.

[oddoneout]

http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/british-caterpillar-galleries/british-moth-caterpillar-galleries/

This has lots of photos - might be worth a browse? Also if you can get hold of someone with a camera to get an image that would make identification easier as you could send a pic to to suitable wildlife websites.

[Serial_Apologist]

http://www.wildlifeinsight.com/briti...lar-galleries/
This has lots of photos - might be worth a browse? Also if you can get hold of someone with a camera to get an image that would make identification easier as you could send a pic to to suitable wildlife websites.

I might just do that.

Thanks for all your thoughts!

[Ferretfancy]

Do you have groundsel growing anywhere near? At a rough guess it may be the caterpillar of the cinnabar moth, judging by your description of the colour pattern. The adult moth has black and purple wings.

[umslopogaas]

Or ragwort? I didnt know cinnabar moth caterpillars ate groundsel, but they certainly eat ragwort. However, I just looked up cinnabar moth caterpillars and I dont think "our" caterpillar is one of them, they dont have the protruding feelers.