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Produce => Wildlife forum => Topic started by: petemason on August 20, 2006, 18:41:17

Title: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: petemason on August 20, 2006, 18:41:17
Our cat brought this into the house today and caused something of a stir. Any ideas what it is?

Wife's finger to show size of it (she was being brave)
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/meatpaste/DSCF1301.jpg)

Another pic showing the big 'hook' it had on its tail
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y21/meatpaste/DSCF1302.jpg)
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: Mrs Ava on August 20, 2006, 19:10:31
Looks like a whitchity (sp??) grub from Australia!!  Could it be a stage beetle larvae becoming a stage beetle?  Sent a shiver down my spine!!
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: Paulines7 on August 20, 2006, 19:38:12
Pete, does the caterpillar have legs?  See:

http://66.249.93.104/search?q=cache:az4A-eM85JgJ:www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ANR-1121/+caterpillar+hook+purple+white+stripe&hl=en&gl=uk&ct=clnk&cd=6

Scroll down until you come to Key to "Identifying Common Crop Caterpillars".  This should enable you to confirm whether it is a butterfly or moth. 
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on August 20, 2006, 20:00:31
It looks like a privet hawk moth caterpillar http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/mdh/03200.htm .
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: petemason on August 20, 2006, 20:09:57
The Privet Hawk Moth is the winner we think - thanks Robert.

The site you directed us to originally Pauline was fascinating. We thought it might have been a Tomato or Tobacco hornworm.  I'll certainly keep that site in favourites to identify anything else.
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: MrsKP on August 20, 2006, 20:36:50
rather attractive stripes but you wouldn't have got me within 5 yards of the thing.

did it have teeth ?

:o
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: petemason on August 20, 2006, 21:11:07
I assume it had teeth. We didn't fancy getting that close to it!
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: MrsKP on August 20, 2006, 21:18:44
don't blame you !   ;D
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: katynewbie on August 20, 2006, 21:20:26
 :o :o :o

Blimey! That is HUGE, you could put a saddle on it!

I found something similar the other day, bit more multi-coloured tho, scared the bejeezus out of me as I uncovered it with my spade! Was v brave and just covered it up again!

;D
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: petemason on August 20, 2006, 21:24:40
What I didn't mention is that the cat had dropped it in his basket, so hidden partially by his blanket, I thought it was a snake!
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: MrsKP on August 20, 2006, 21:41:01
i would have DEFINITELY been out the door !

;D
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: GREENWIZARD on August 21, 2006, 09:35:49
wow that's a beauty :)
love it's markings
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: Day lilly on August 21, 2006, 17:32:10
(http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a236/Corncob/ACKKKKKKRRRR2520ani.gif)
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: cambourne7 on September 07, 2006, 14:59:01
What happened to it?
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on September 07, 2006, 23:15:28
Has it been transmogrified into cat poo?
Title: Re: What on earth did the cat drag in?
Post by: cambourne7 on September 08, 2006, 16:15:45
how very organic
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