Caterpillar ID please

[Suzanne B]

I saw a few of these on a thistle plant yesterday and wondered what they were.
I just had a look around and it looks quite similar to a painted lady caterpillar.



I think the markings were more yellowy than they look on this image.
Any ideas please?

[paul m]

It does look quite like an early instar ... but do they have those white bands?
Someone will know but I hope you don't mind me throwing in another lep query: can anyone point me in the right direction for these caterpillars:

[reninfrance]

Could they be mullein moth caterpillars -Cucullia verbasca?

[paul m]

Originally Posted by reninfrance

Could they be mullein moth caterpillars -Cucullia verbasca?

Yes, of course, mullein = Verbascum.

Back to Suzanne's now!

[Suzanne B]

Oi you lot!!!.........back to me I think!!!

(all these posts and I was beginning to feel quite popular.....then I realised none were for me....how sad. )

[reninfrance]

sorry Suzanne- well not really -
Yes Shirley, I saw 2 or three but not on the same plant, another one was on a Euphorbia.
they look quite big caterpillars for such a small delicate moth- wow!

[Suzanne B]

Originally Posted by reninfrance

sorry Suzanne- well not really -

Oh.....ok then.

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Suzanne B

I saw a few of these on a thistle plant yesterday and wondered what they were.
I just had a look around and it looks quite similar to a painted lady caterpillar.



I think the markings were more yellowy than they look on this image.
Any ideas please?

What sort of size was this please?

[goosey]

Originally Posted by Suzanne B

I saw a few of these on a thistle plant yesterday and wondered what they were.
I just had a look around and it looks quite similar to a painted lady caterpillar.



I think the markings were more yellowy than they look on this image.
Any ideas please?

Hi Suzanne, it could be a Red Admiral larva maybe a 3rd instar.
There are some images here if you scroll down a bit of various instars of the Red Admiral. Does any of these look good to you?

http://www.ukbutterflies.co.uk/index.php

This shows a more similar image to yours but you will have to look under Nymphalidae Vanessa atalanta, I cant link directly to the image or page sorry.

Lepidoptera Species by Scientific Name in Family Groups

[H Dogg]

I think its an early(ish) painted lady. Its on a thistle which is its food plant. Red admiral feeds on nettle.

[Suzanne B]

Thanks H Dogg and Goosey for your help.
It definately looks most like a painted lady but only has about 3 of the yellowish points and not covered in them as most of the pictures show, is that normal do you know?
I went back today today to have another look at them and they did look bigger.....but when I went to take a photo......I didn't have my camera with me! ( I have no idea how that happened as the battery was all charged up and ready to go and the memory card was checked and deleted.....and then I went and left it on the table.)
Anyway, I'm back up tomorrow so hopefully they'll still be there. They're on the verge right outside of our allotment, I only hope the council don't come round and strim it before I get there or before they leave.

[H Dogg]

Originally Posted by Suzanne B

but only has about 3 of the yellowish points and not covered in them as most of the pictures show, is that normal do you know?

Caterpillars change considerably as they grow and can look very different at different stages of their development. As it grows it should start to look more like the yellow spiked ones you have seen.

[Suzanne B]

Thanks H dogg.
But I can't check on them now.......because the Council did cometh .....and did STRIMMETH!!!



How depressing.

[Neil Jones]

It is on thistle. It is a Painted Lady.
That is the only common vanessid that uses thistle.

[Suzanne B]

Thanks for the confirmation Neil.
That's handy to know about the thistle I had no idea that they were the only common ones that use it.
At least I'll know for the future now.
Anyway, welcome to WATW as well, it's great to have you here. Where abouts are you?