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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)


Another pic showing the big 'hook' it had on its tail

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!!

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. 

It looks like a privet hawk moth caterpillar http://www.warrenphotographic.co.uk/mdh/03200.htm .

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.

rather attractive stripes but you wouldn't have got me within 5 yards of the thing.

did it have teeth ?

:o

I assume it had teeth. We didn't fancy getting that close to it!

don't blame you !   ;D

 :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

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!

i would have DEFINITELY been out the door !

;D

wow that's a beauty :)
love it's markings

What happened to it?

Has it been transmogrified into cat poo?

how very organic