Caterpillars come in all different shapes, colours and sizes, and none more so than moth caterpillars. Meet five of these cool critters and discover what makes them so special.
Puss Moth
The caterpillar of the Puss Moth, with its chunky green body, long twin-tails and large head, is more than just distinctive-looking – this cheeky caterpillar has a few tricks up its sleeve. When disturbed, the caterpillar will raise its head, which is marked with large eyespots to make it appear bigger than it is, and wave its tails, which have pinkish extendable protrusions (flagellae), as a warning to predators to back off. If that doesn’t work, they are capable of producing formic acid, which they squirt at the attacker from their mouth!
Woolly Bear
The caterpillar of the Garden Tiger moth, also known as the Woolly Bear, is a large and very hairy caterpillar. It has a dense layer of short ginger and black hairs interspersed with long white hairs. But these hairs aren’t just for show, they are an important way to protect themselves as they cause irritation to any would-be predators looking for a snack. These hairs can also cause irritation to humans, so be careful not to handle them if you spot one.
Elephant Hawk-moth
The Elephant Hawk-moth caterpillar is one of the largest and most recognisable caterpillars in the UK. It’s named for its elephant trunk-like appearance, and its distinctive markings give the illusion of having big eyes. When threatened, they can partly retract their head and make their body swell – this makes their eye spots more prominent so that they resemble a snake and can deter predators. Look out for them in August and September when they might be found roaming around in search of places to pupate.
Early Thorn
You might be forgiven for not spotting this crafty caterpillar at first glance as its incredible disguise means that it can be hidden in plain sight. The Early Thorn caterpillar, with its mottled browns and knobbly protrusions, is camouflaged to look just like the twigs of native trees like Hawthorn, birch and hazel, which they feed on. So, if you spot a wriggly twig, make sure to give it a second look…
Cinnabar
Unlike the Early Thorn, the caterpillars of the Cinnabar Moth are difficult to miss! Their vibrant yellow and black stripes are a warning to predators that they’re toxic and not to be eaten. They build up and store these toxins by eating their equally vibrant foodplant, Ragwort. The adult moths mimic this approach, using their bold black and red colours to suggest to predators that they should be left well alone.
For more amazing moths facts and stories, head to Moths Matter | Butterfly Conservation
