Caterpillar for ID

[zigzag_wanderer]

Hi All,

A while since I posted one of these - mainly because I haven't seen any caterpillars for a while.

This one was snapped today on top of a small blackthorn bush in the fields behind us.

It's in the extreme top right of the first image. The blue string mysteriously appeared dotted about the hedges about 3 or 4 years ago - it's only this year the penny dropped that it must have been left after a Brown Hairstreak egg-hunting expedition.

The caterpillar is one of those that has all its leg action at the front and back ends. It appeared to be holding on to the twig with its mouth.

Assume it's a common moth species ?

[Allan.W.]

Could be Brimstone moth ,Zig-zag. If not a Thorn sp; Allan.W.

[zigzag_wanderer]

Cheers as always Allan.

Just had a check of both online and it does look a lot like the Brimstone - it has that brown nodule thing, halfway along its top.

I do see the Brimstone moth in those fields, so I reckon you've nailed it !

Ta muchly.