Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum

General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: JohnnyD on March 20, 2012, 07:26:56 PM

Title: Is this a pest?
Post by: JohnnyD on March 20, 2012, 07:26:56 PM: Seen on a shrub in the garden.
Does anyone know what it is?
Is an 'undesirable'?
JohnnyD
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: fredg on March 20, 2012, 07:37:19 PM: It looks like an Elephant Hawk Moth - Deilephila elpenor.

Did it have big 'eyes' on it's head?
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: ronm on March 20, 2012, 07:47:55 PM: Probably not Fred as there doesn't appear to be a 'horn' on the next to last segment. And far too early.
One of the Noctuidae. Probably Noctua pronuba.
Anthony will be along later, he'll know which one. ;)
Not pest.
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: fredg on March 20, 2012, 08:23:30 PM: Quote from: ronm on March 20, 2012, 07:47:55 PM
One of the Noctuidae. Probably Noctua pronuba.

I'd looked at it's little brother Noctua comes ;D
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: ronm on March 20, 2012, 08:31:24 PM: Possibly, but I don't think N.comes has the light coloured band on each segment, and does have a hump on the last segment.
Still not pest. ( unless ones eating your prize plant ... if it is please move it to the nearest patch of dock leaves or any 'rough ground)'. Thank you!
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: Maggi Young on March 20, 2012, 08:37:01 PM: Getting feelings of déjà vu ........ :-X

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8723.0 for more discussions on the N. comes and N. pronuba
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: ronm on March 20, 2012, 08:41:34 PM: It were never proved, ;)
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: fredg on March 20, 2012, 08:45:09 PM: Quote from: Maggi Young on March 20, 2012, 08:37:01 PM
Getting feelings of déjà vu ........ :-X

Doesn't the dejavu have antlers on the 3rd segment?
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: Maggi Young on March 20, 2012, 08:52:12 PM: Quote from: fredg on March 20, 2012, 08:45:09 PM
Quote from: Maggi Young on March 20, 2012, 08:37:01 PM
Getting feelings of déjà vu ........ :-X

Doesn't the dejavu have antlers on the 3rd segment?
I haven't the faintest idea - I have a lot of trouble telling which end is which with these things.

http://www.hmbg.org/uploads/images/2107%20Large%20Yellow%20Underwing%20-%20larva-Peter%20Rowlings.jpg

http://www.pawsforwildlife.co.uk/brown_and_buff_caterpillars.php
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: ronm on March 20, 2012, 08:55:58 PM: Thanks for the links Maggi.
We can see this larva in Mark Smyths post, picture three. Definitely N.pronuba.
Still not pest!
Title: Re: Is this a pest?
Post by: Anthony Darby on March 20, 2012, 09:17:25 PM: I agree. Noctua pronuba. A pest if you regard anything that eats plants a pest.