I bet mines bigger than yours...

ConorDash

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Hello,

I have to say, I like my title to this thread :).

I've seen caterpillars before, hiding and chewing on my olive leaves, they are very small, less than 3-4cms.

So then today, I see this massive fuck..

IMG_6511.JPG IMG_6512.JPG IMG_6513.JPG IMG_6514.JPG


There's 4 of them on a large bush we have. No where near my trees, luckily.

Identified it as the Privet Hawkmoth, Sphinx Ligustri.
The largest moths in the U.K. Although these not quite moths yet..
Bear in mind, in U.K. We don't tend to have the largest or most dangerous animals so this is huge to me.
 

CWTurner

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We get something like that on tomato plants around here. Big as an average finger. Really cool how the feet hold the branch, as they munch through your crop.
CW
 

M. Frary

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They are full of green goo when you step on one.
Some caterpillars are venomous too. Had a guy at work get stung and had to be hospitalized because he was allergic.
At first I thought yours might have been a Luna moth caterpillar.
 

Victorim

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Hello,

I have to say, I like my title to this thread :).

I've seen caterpillars before, hiding and chewing on my olive leaves, they are very small, less than 3-4cms.

So then today, I see this massive fuck..

View attachment 158285 View attachment 158286 View attachment 158287 View attachment 158288


There's 4 of them on a large bush we have. No where near my trees, luckily.

Identified it as the Privet Hawkmoth, Sphinx Ligustri.
The largest moths in the U.K. Although these not quite moths yet..
Bear in mind, in U.K. We don't tend to have the largest or most dangerous animals so this is huge to me.

Get it on the bbq mate. Lovely with a dash of tomato sauce.
 

GGB

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@Victorim haha nice.

I've seen some remarkable moths here in my part of the U.S. As a kid I thought my state had boring plants and animals because it wasn't Brazil or the Congo. But the more I learn about native amphibians, reptiles, insects, and trees the luckier I feel. Always good to appreciate native anything
 

Victorim

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@Victorim haha nice.

I've seen some remarkable moths here in my part of the U.S. As a kid I thought my state had boring plants and animals because it wasn't Brazil or the Congo. But the more I learn about native amphibians, reptiles, insects, and trees the luckier I feel. Always good to appreciate native anything

No clue if they taste good.. we'll have to wait for Conor's feedback :p
 

PiñonJ

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They are full of green goo when you step on one.
Some caterpillars are venomous too. Had a guy at work get stung and had to be hospitalized because he was allergic.
At first I thought yours might have been a Luna moth caterpillar.
The little hairs on the fuzzy ones are toxic. They're solid little tubes. They can actually penetrate the cornea and get inside the eye that way! I've seen photos of it in a medical journal. Bottom line: Never snuggle with a caterpillar!
 

Victorim

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The little hairs on the fuzzy ones are toxic. They're solid little tubes. They can actually penetrate the cornea and get inside the eye that way! I've seen photos of it in a medical journal. Bottom line: Never snuggle with a caterpillar!

Yes anyone who isn't aware, beware the furry pillers. No joke. Can cause all sorts of irritation hell.
 

ConorDash

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Yes anyone who isn't aware, beware the furry pillers. No joke. Can cause all sorts of irritation hell.

Yes we have had the very long, mostly hair, kind on a large leaf plant of ours. Common sense dictates, don't touch it...

This one is harmless though, no hairs or venom.
The black spike would hurt, but nothing more (from online research).

There are 5 on the plant and they have large black droppings, all over the place... gonna leave them be and hopefully see the cocoons before they become moths and fly away.
As long as they don't spread...

No BBQ... lol
 

Victorim

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Yes we have had the very long, mostly hair, kind on a large leaf plant of ours. Common sense dictates, don't touch it...

This one is harmless though, no hairs or venom.
The black spike would hurt, but nothing more (from online research).

There are 5 on the plant and they have large black droppings, all over the place... gonna leave them be and hopefully see the cocoons before they become moths and fly away.
As long as they don't spread...

No BBQ... lol

Hehe kinder man than me. Pillers go the same way as slugs and snails.. over the fence.
 
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