For the benefit of all those who have requested more caterpillars, I have compiled an omnibus edition.
I have always had a penchant for caterpillars in reeking jars on the bedroom windowsill, but now I have grown up (!) I can usually raise them to maturity. No caterpillars were hurt in the taking of these photographs.
Starting with a nice little quintet.
Caterpillar in a Travelodge; I had to take my Death’s Head Hawkmoth caterpillars with me because no one else in the family would touch them.
Latency – they finally pupated!
Vulvular caterpillage – this distressing condition is fortunately very rare.
Chain of fools.
This young hawk moth larva is blissfully unaware that it is reading the Guardian upside down.
Lederhosen: shiny, shiny, shiny suit of leather.
Serving suggestion.
Puss on boot: a puss moth caterpillar settles for my husband’s walking boot as a suitable site to make its cocoon.
Another day, another caterpillar catastrophe. When I got back from the shops I discovered I had been wearing a caterpillar under my coat.
Last night I dreamt of mandibles.
More travels with caterpillars – this time on the Megabus from Dundee to Skye – sorry about poor quality pic.
I like a nice cup of tea in the morning.
And a nice plate of Samia Ricini larvae for my tea.
Oh Rose! thou art sick.
Accessorise; my Luna moth has hatched.
So have my puss moths. And they started getting jiggy with it straight away!
With the resultant jazzy caterpillars – I think they have a touch of the Commedia about them with their harlequin patterns.
Stylish Privet Hawk – loving the stripes!
Least said soonest mended.