This site features over 800 caterpillars of Britain & Europe. If you have found a caterpillar but can't identify it, this is your first port of call! Identify caterpillars by the plant you found it on or by description, whether it is hairy or smooth, with antlers or just slug-like.

Colour images (plates) of caterpillars will help to identify them.
Please look through the albums to see if your caterpillar is here, there are many photographs and some are quite commonly asked about.

Photos are from all locations, America, France, Britain etc. Many of the most commonly found caterpillars are featured. If this fails, go to the message forum and request help.

Details of habitat, foodplant and description of each caterpillar. View the plates for pictorial identity or use the search facility below to find your caterpillar.

North American caterpillars have their own unique site, with descriptions and some pictures.

The Elephant Hawk-moth comes in two colour forms: green and grey; it is the caterpillar that puzzled visitors send pictures of most frequently in the UK! Below are the two colour forms.