Mystery larva

[Vince Massimo]

Can anyone help with this please? It's a moth

There were 5 of them (each approximately 15mm long) on nettle at Lancing on the Sussex coast. The nearest I have got is Cream-spot Tiger Moth (having discounted Ruby Tiger), but unfortunately some of the critical diagnostic features like the head and legs are hidden.

Vince

[Allan.W.]

Hello Vince ,
Could they be late(but not final ) instar Garden Tigers ??
Allan.W.

[Vince Massimo]

Thanks Allan, a post-hibernation larva of that species would fit very well with what I saw.

Vince

[MrSp0ck]

quite a nice find, Garden Tigers used to be common in Croydon, but not now, a few years back had 3 larvae in my garden all had been got at by flies

[Vince Massimo]

I revisited the nettle bed at Lancing on 9th March and found that the larvae had grown and changed into a much more recognisable form.

Garden Tiger - Lancing, Sussex 9-March-2019

Garden Tiger - Lancing, Sussex 9-March-2019

Some were still just out of hibernation.

Garden Tiger - Lancing, Sussex 9-March-2019

Thanks again to Allan for identifying them as Garden Tiger moths.

Vince