Moths for MOFFFER

I've asked some people who know about caterpillars, and I'm waiting for a reply Cirrus. I'll post asap.

Hi Cirrus, no joy I'm afraid. This sums up the response that I got

"ID is pretty impossible from that description unfortunately"

Oh, thank you so very much for trying MOFFER - I'll just have to keep a sharp eye out next year. Meantime I've Jays burying acorns in my flippin tubs - I have put large stones on the tub where the caterpillars hid . Certianly do not want them unearthed by Jays!!

I had this response this morning Cirrus

"I think your friend may have seen Crane Fly larvae. The larvae of Tipula paludosa for example, which is a very common species, match your friend’s description of a ‘large plain grey caterpillar’. As a plant root feeder they live in the soil though will occasionally be seen above ground. I have seen them in their hundreds before and recall an instance when a school playing field was covered in them after a sustained period of rain - their underground galleries having been flooded out. I don’t personally have any pictures of Crane Fly larvae otherwise I would have posted one, though a quick search in Google will bring you plenty of images."

Thank you again MOFFER. I been looking through lots of pics of the Crane fly larvae I found on Google BUT, I'm just not convinced. All the pics I could find look somewhat ''worm'' like. Fat, maybe but ''worm like''.  My caperpillars were CHUNKY and not ''worm like''.

Well, I'll see, won't I.

MOFFER, I'm sure you will have watched AutumnWatch, but just in case... Chris Packham says we're in for an influx of moths blown in from the south, so get yer traps out and report your findings please ;-) x

Hi Scylla, I have a problem with my bulb, so unless the new one arrives today, I can't trap :o(

Damn shame!  I do hope it arrives x