I'd be so grateful if anyone would be able to ID the following caterpillar for me; I can't find it in my books or on the web! Location : Dalmeny coast (which is north coast of Edinburgh, Scotland) Time : Yesterday (1 Jul 2013) With thanks, David Merrick Black Caterpillar ( photo / image / picture from meteorquake's Garden )
Looks like a Tent Moth Caterpillar meteorquake. Welcome to GardenStew from a fellow Scot who hails from West Lothian. :-D
Hello Thank you Eileen! I will check that suggestion out and see how well it fits! Caterpillars must be more variable than I thought, given a quick google! You must be very close... I live just in Ratho My main interest is in wild flowers, but you just can't helping want to know about everything else too david
Hi there neighbour!! You're not far from me at all David as I'm in Livingston Village. I look forward to getting to know you.
Yikes if it turns out to be a tent caterpillar you will want to kill it. The reason they call them tent caterpillar's is that the adults make a webbed tent and lay hundreds of eggs inside. Then when the young hatch they will defoliate whatever tree or shrub their tent is on. They are not good to have around.
