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New server! The site has been moved to a new server to allow for more photographs. There is a subtle change of name. Please note that whatsthiscaterpillar is now whatsthatcaterpillar. Both sites will be available at all times.
New Photos submitted by visitors (uncatergorised)
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caterpillar_individual plates, thumbnail pictures lead to the main pages.

Plates of caterpillars (illustrator Brian Hargreaves)
Books (recommendations)
Message Forum Q & A
Site Map and Links
Glossary and structure of caterpillars
Rearing of caterpillars
The creator of this site
Credits
Caterpillars of North America & Canada
Email

Search the site using keywords such as 'bright green' 'hairy', or the plant you found the caterpillar on; 'sallow', 'oak' etc

 
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.

double elephant hawk-moth caterpillar!
 

Text links

Indicates a photograph is available. (In progress)

Photographs (submissions by visitors)

In categories for easy use.
Hairy/Spiny caterpillars
Smooth/Bumpy caterpillars
Hawk (Sphinx) moths
Can you name the unknown? Please look here to see if your caterpillar is pictured as the most commonly found ones are featured.

Acknowledgments

Many thanks to the HarperCollins Publishers, David J Carter and especially the illustrator Brian Hargreaves, for their permission to use the images on this site.
Find out about other Collins Natural History books here

To find out more about the Collins Field Guide to Caterpillars of Britain

Push this site to number 1 in the top 100 Lepidoptera sites, just click the link and it's done! (is the site worth it? you decide!) You'll find other useful sites here too.

 

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