Caterpillars

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About caterpillars Garden plants for caterpillars Rearing caterpillars Further information Moths Count is a partnership of many Small Eggar web organisations, individuals and businesses, led If you find a caterpillar it is more likely to As well as increasing in size, each instar Some species use silk to fasten leaves A garden with a greater variety of plants One way to identify a difficult caterpillar is You can find more information about moths Apr-Jul by Butterfly Conservation. Principal funders be a moth than a butterfly, as there are may also change in colour and other together and hide inside to eat. Others is likely to be home to more types of to rear it to the adult stage, which may be and caterpillars on the Moths Count website include the Heritage Lottery Fund, Butterfly over 2,500 types of moth in Britain but features, which complicates identification. spin a large silk web which protects a caterpillar. The widest range is found on easier to recognise. If you want to try this, at www.mothscount.org, which also has Conservation, British Entomological and Natural fewer than 70 butterflies. A great many whole brood of caterpillars. native trees, especially willow, birch and you will need to note what kind of plant links to other web sources. Useful books History Society, City Bridge Trust, Countryside on caterpillars include: caterpillars are hard to identify as they are Caterpillars are also important food for a oak, if you have room. A mixed hedge of the caterpillar was on and provide the Council for Wales, Environment Agency, Natural England, Northern Ireland Environment plain green or brown. This leaflet shows range of other animals, especially birds. Some caterpillars make less effort to hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, barberry, same type of leaves for it to eat. The Colour Identification Guide Agency, Royal Entomological Society, RSPB some moth caterpillars (and a few Consequently they have evolved ways of hide themselves as they have developed beech, spindle and privet will support to Caterpillars of the British Isles and Scottish Natural Heritage. Many other Porter, J. 1997 (Viking) butterflies) that are relatively widespread avoiding predators. One very common other means of discouraging predators, many species, particularly if not trimmed Caterpillars can be reared in a ventilated organisations are involved, providing support and helping to host events. Full details at: or noticeable and have features that method is camouflage to blend into their such as a bitter taste or unpleasant hairs too often. Fruit trees and bushes are also plastic container large enough for a few Field Guide to the Caterpillars make them easier to recognise. Even so, background, which is why so many or bristles to irritate the throat. (As some good, especially apple, plum and currant. stems of the food-plant. Place it out of of Britain and Europe www.mothscount.org they can be confused with some other caterpillars are green or brown. Some can irritate human skin or lungs, it is If you have a wall or fence to cover, the direct sunlight to avoid overheating. Keep Carter, D. & Hargreaves, B. 2001 (Collins) Manor Yard East Lulworth species (for example there are several have elaborate markings to imitate their wiser not to handle any hairy caterpillar.) best climbers are roses, honeysuckle the leaves fresh by putting the stems in a British Moths & Butterflies: Wareham Dorset BH20 5QP types of Burnet which look similar, and a food-plants more closely. Many such caterpillars are conspicuous (Lonicera), clematis, hop and ivy. little water and replace them every day. A a photographic guide Phone 01929 406009 Buff Ermine caterpillar looks very like a as they use bright colours to warn that piece of paper towel in the base will help Manley, C. 2008 (A&C Black) [email protected] White Ermine). More images can be seen Others have evolved body shapes that they are distasteful. One of the best (and easiest!) things you to absorb condensation. Hygiene is vital, Text by Susan Anders. in the resources listed at the end of the resemble their background. A large family The time taken for caterpillars to reach full can do is leave an area wild with a mix of so all droppings must be removed daily, Butterfly Conservation is working to save Photographs by John Bebbington, Rob Edmunds, Peter Eeles, Dave Green, Les Hill, Dan Hoare, Roy leaflet or at www.mothscount.org of moths have caterpillars which look like A few large moth species have evolved size varies with the species, from a few native grasses allowed to grow long and along with old leaves and other debris. butterflies, moths and their habitats. Why not become a member? Leverton, Chris Manley, Mark Parsons, Neil Sherman, Keith Tailby, Robert Thompson and Martin Warren. twigs. They are called ‘geometrids’ (from caterpillars with eye-like markings, spikes weeks to a few years. When fully grown a common ‘weeds’, particularly docks, More information at 681648 01942 creative nectar Butterfly Conservation Female moths and butterflies lay eggs the Greek for ‘ground’ and ‘measure’) that resemble stings, or weird postures, caterpillar turns into a pupa, with a tough bramble, plantains, dandelions, nettles, Some caterpillars will pupate fastened to www.butterfly-conservation.org Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP from which caterpillars hatch. Most eggs after their looping walk. The Scalloped all designed to scare off predators outer case inside which the adult moth or bedstraws and bird’s-foot-trefoils. It is a plant stem, but you should also provide Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) are laid on a suitable plant, often singly or Hazel and Swallow-tailed Moth are although they are actually harmless. butterfly forms and from which it will very beneficial to limit management of the some soil or leaf litter for them to bury Printed on 100% recycled stock including 75% post-consumer waste. sometimes in a batch. Some caterpillars shown, but many others look similar. emerge. Many caterpillars burrow into whole garden: restricting pesticide use, themselves for pupation. May-Sep can eat a wide range of plants but most soil to pupate, others fasten themselves tolerating a few weeds and leaving some Scalloped Hazel are restricted to certain types, so the Jun-Sep to a plant. Some spin a silk cocoon and old vegetation to provide places for the Pupae are best kept somewhere that is Leaf mine (Stigmella lapponica) plant it is found on can be a very useful pupate inside it for extra protection. caterpillars to hide, pupate or overwinter. sheltered and frost-free but unheated, Vapourer Vapourer R. Thompson R.

clue to a caterpillar’s identity. Usually it is such as a garage or shed. It can be by produced and Designed mc7 the leaves that are eaten, but there are In many cases the pupa is the stage that A few native plants which are used by difficult to achieve the required humidity caterpillars which eat the flowers, fruits, overwinters, although more species pass caterpillars are attractive enough for beds and temperature, but if you are lucky the roots or stems of plants. The caterpillars the winter as caterpillars, while some and borders, including foxglove, primrose adult will eventually emerge. The timing of many small moths burrow inside the overwinter as adults and a few as eggs. and thyme. Some garden plants may suit for this will vary with the species, from a leaves, where their tunnels form visible some caterpillars, but chances may be few weeks to a year. caterpillars ‘leaf mines’, even though the tiny higher with plants which are related to caterpillars are hard to see. Swallow-tailed Moth Comma pupa local native or naturalised species. Try abrief guide Aug-Jun cultivated forms of mulleins (Verbascum), Images A caterpillar’s purpose in life is to eat and Some caterpillars have bold patterns or saxifrages (Saxifraga), dead-nettles The caterpillars illustrated are Although many caterpillars are plain green and grow, as this is the only stage in the life- odd shapes to disguise their outlines. A (Lamium), yarrows (Achillea), knapweeds not to scale. The months indicate cycle where growth is possible. However, few attach bits of leaf to their bodies to (Centaurea) and valerians (Centranthus). go unnoticed, others have amazing colours, the period when the species occurs a caterpillar’s skin cannot stretch to allow improve their camouflage. Others, such The flowers of the last three are also in the caterpillar stage. Note that beautiful markings or weird shapes. gradual growth, but instead must be split as the group called bagworms, construct good sources of nectar for adult moths some species continue as Apr-Jun and moulted so that the caterpillar can complete casings which they live inside and butterflies. caterpillars through the winter. expand in stages called ‘instars’. and carry around with them. Lackey Lackey Green D. About caterpillars Garden plants for caterpillars Rearing caterpillars Further information Moths Count is a partnership of many Small Eggar web organisations, individuals and businesses, led If you find a caterpillar it is more likely to As well as increasing in size, each instar Some species use silk to fasten leaves A garden with a greater variety of plants One way to identify a difficult caterpillar is You can find more information about moths Apr-Jul by Butterfly Conservation. Principal funders be a moth than a butterfly, as there are may also change in colour and other together and hide inside to eat. Others is likely to be home to more types of to rear it to the adult stage, which may be and caterpillars on the Moths Count website include the Heritage Lottery Fund, Butterfly over 2,500 types of moth in Britain but features, which complicates identification. spin a large silk web which protects a caterpillar. The widest range is found on easier to recognise. If you want to try this, at www.mothscount.org, which also has Conservation, British Entomological and Natural fewer than 70 butterflies. A great many whole brood of caterpillars. native trees, especially willow, birch and you will need to note what kind of plant links to other web sources. Useful books History Society, City Bridge Trust, Countryside on caterpillars include: caterpillars are hard to identify as they are Caterpillars are also important food for a oak, if you have room. A mixed hedge of the caterpillar was on and provide the Council for Wales, Environment Agency, Natural England, Northern Ireland Environment plain green or brown. This leaflet shows range of other animals, especially birds. Some caterpillars make less effort to hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel, barberry, same type of leaves for it to eat. The Colour Identification Guide Agency, Royal Entomological Society, RSPB some moth caterpillars (and a few Consequently they have evolved ways of hide themselves as they have developed beech, spindle and privet will support to Caterpillars of the British Isles and Scottish Natural Heritage. Many other Porter, J. 1997 (Viking) butterflies) that are relatively widespread avoiding predators. One very common other means of discouraging predators, many species, particularly if not trimmed Caterpillars can be reared in a ventilated organisations are involved, providing support and helping to host events. Full details at: or noticeable and have features that method is camouflage to blend into their such as a bitter taste or unpleasant hairs too often. Fruit trees and bushes are also plastic container large enough for a few Field Guide to the Caterpillars make them easier to recognise. Even so, background, which is why so many or bristles to irritate the throat. (As some good, especially apple, plum and currant. stems of the food-plant. Place it out of of Britain and Europe www.mothscount.org they can be confused with some other caterpillars are green or brown. Some can irritate human skin or lungs, it is If you have a wall or fence to cover, the direct sunlight to avoid overheating. Keep Carter, D. & Hargreaves, B. 2001 (Collins) Manor Yard East Lulworth species (for example there are several have elaborate markings to imitate their wiser not to handle any hairy caterpillar.) best climbers are roses, honeysuckle the leaves fresh by putting the stems in a British Moths & Butterflies: Wareham Dorset BH20 5QP types of Burnet which look similar, and a food-plants more closely. Many such caterpillars are conspicuous (Lonicera), clematis, hop and ivy. little water and replace them every day. A a photographic guide Phone 01929 406009 Buff Ermine caterpillar looks very like a as they use bright colours to warn that piece of paper towel in the base will help Manley, C. 2008 (A&C Black) [email protected] White Ermine). More images can be seen Others have evolved body shapes that they are distasteful. One of the best (and easiest!) things you to absorb condensation. Hygiene is vital, Text by Susan Anders. in the resources listed at the end of the resemble their background. A large family The time taken for caterpillars to reach full can do is leave an area wild with a mix of so all droppings must be removed daily, Butterfly Conservation is working to save Photographs by John Bebbington, Rob Edmunds, Peter Eeles, Dave Green, Les Hill, Dan Hoare, Roy leaflet or at www.mothscount.org of moths have caterpillars which look like A few large moth species have evolved size varies with the species, from a few native grasses allowed to grow long and along with old leaves and other debris. butterflies, moths and their habitats. Why not become a member? Leverton, Chris Manley, Mark Parsons, Neil Sherman, Keith Tailby, Robert Thompson and Martin Warren. twigs. They are called ‘geometrids’ (from caterpillars with eye-like markings, spikes weeks to a few years. When fully grown a common ‘weeds’, particularly docks, More information at 681648 01942 creative nectar Butterfly Conservation Female moths and butterflies lay eggs the Greek for ‘ground’ and ‘measure’) that resemble stings, or weird postures, caterpillar turns into a pupa, with a tough bramble, plantains, dandelions, nettles, Some caterpillars will pupate fastened to www.butterfly-conservation.org Company limited by guarantee, registered in England (2206468) Registered Office: Manor Yard, East Lulworth, Wareham, Dorset, BH20 5QP from which caterpillars hatch. Most eggs after their looping walk. The Scalloped all designed to scare off predators outer case inside which the adult moth or bedstraws and bird’s-foot-trefoils. It is a plant stem, but you should also provide Charity registered in England & Wales (254937) and in Scotland (SCO39268) are laid on a suitable plant, often singly or Hazel and Swallow-tailed Moth are although they are actually harmless. butterfly forms and from which it will very beneficial to limit management of the some soil or leaf litter for them to bury Printed on 100% recycled stock including 75% post-consumer waste. sometimes in a batch. Some caterpillars shown, but many others look similar. emerge. Many caterpillars burrow into whole garden: restricting pesticide use, themselves for pupation. May-Sep can eat a wide range of plants but most soil to pupate, others fasten themselves tolerating a few weeds and leaving some Scalloped Hazel are restricted to certain types, so the Jun-Sep to a plant. Some spin a silk cocoon and old vegetation to provide places for the Pupae are best kept somewhere that is Leaf mine (Stigmella lapponica) plant it is found on can be a very useful pupate inside it for extra protection. caterpillars to hide, pupate or overwinter. sheltered and frost-free but unheated, Vapourer Vapourer R. Thompson R.