What are these caterpillars?

[millerd]

Can anyone identify these tent-dwelling caterpillars seen a few metres from the Thames at Runnymede this afternoon?

Thanks,

Dave

[Trev Sawyer]

Poplar Sawfly larvae - Cladius grandis?

Trev

[millerd]

Thanks, Trev. Not terribly attractive little things, are they?

Dave

[Trev Sawyer]

Oh, I don't know Dave... Yellow with black spots is pretty smart I reckon. I suppose it warns predators they probably don't taste very nice. I don't think I would want to be housed inside their web though - some of those black dots are definitely not part of their general paintwork!

Trev

[Chris Speke]

Small Ermine moth larvae... in some years will reach plague proportions!

[Pete Eeles]

Good call, Chris.

There were loads of Spindle Ermine moth webs at Magdalen Hill Down yesterday, spotted by the many attendees of the UKB Photo Workshop.

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=427

Cheers,

- Pete

[millerd]

I've just looked up Ermine Moths on the web (pun intended, I'm afraid...). Some extraordinary images of vast areas covered in fine white silk. The nest I saw was a minor thing in comparison.

Dave