Giant Stripey Caterpillars

greenpooble · Post by **greenpooble** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 5:14 pm

I have 3 HUGE light yellow and grey stripey caterpillars in my garden on the underside of my aubergine plant leaves, the biggest must be between 3 and 4 inches long with a large head, I have taken a photo, if anyone knows anything about caterpillars any info would be appreciated.

Does anyone know the phone number of the Butterfly Park around here, maybe they would be interested in them? I tried googling "Butterfly Park" Algarve but drew a complete blank.

blue · Post by **blue** » Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:44 pm

http://www.pureportugal.info/wildlife.html

I hope they're not these, they're usually found in & around pine trees. Very nasty.

greenpooble · Post by **greenpooble** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 12:20 am

No they're definately not these

Harlequin · Post by **Harlequin** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 3:09 pm

Could be the Deaths-Head Hawkmoth Caterpillar ?
They are apparently harmless so don't get worried !

greenpooble · Post by **greenpooble** » Wed Oct 22, 2008 6:28 pm

Yup, thats the one, well done!

blue · Post by **blue** » Thu Oct 23, 2008 7:20 am

An amazing looking creature, I didn't realize we got them here in Portugal, this becomes the moth made famous in the 'Silence of the Lambs'. It has the image of a skull on its thorax, Creepy.