The Ideas Genie Community Forum
Plants => Pests and Diseases => Topic started by: Eric Hardy on August 31, 2009, 10:36:55 AM
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I am not sure whether this is a pest or not :-\ but I will post it here. Yesterday Anthea found this striking caterpillar on one of our rose trees. Perhaps someone like Laurie will tell me what it will turn into. At the moment it is in a jam jar with a few rose leaves and holes in the lid like I used to do as a kid. I used to watched them turn into a chrysalis and later emerge. I never found one like this though.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/3874155532_ed837f6f03.jpg)
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3442/3873369775_fdf1d6540b.jpg)
Eric H
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Amazing detail in your photo Eric. Congratulations!
How long does it usually take them to get to the stage of emerging?
Leaving the ID to Laurie and Co ;D
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Your pretty caterpillar will grow into a Grey Dagger Moth (Acronicta psi).
It's final colouring will be grey with small black dagger markings on its wings - hence its name.
It has a preference for rosaceous trees and shrubs.
The damage caused to leaves is not very noticeable, so any remedial action is not required. Therefore Eric, I wouldn't regard it as a pest.
Active between July-November, the caterpillar then forms a cocoon by spinning a silk case around itself and hides under loose bark or rotten wood. It hibernates over winter in the cocoon and then transforms itself into a beautiful Grey Dagger Moth.
Beautiful close-up photos too Eric. Makes identification so much easier. ;D
Laurie.
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It looks much better now than later.
http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=2284 (http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?bf=2284)
Malcolm
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How long does it usually take them to get to the stage of emerging
I can't really remember George but it wasn't very long, perhaps two or three weeks. Laurie has explained that this won't be a chrysalis but a cocoon and it overwinters so that is a lot longer.
Your pretty caterpillar will grow into a Grey Dagger Moth (Acronicta psi).
Thank you Laurie, I knew you would come up with the answer. I am delighted that I need not regard it as a pest. Following your explanation I might release it back onto the rose bush although it looks very happy at the moment in the jar, munching away :)
It looks much better now than later.
Thank you for the link Malcolm. It still looks interesting but less exotic.
Thank you for all your replies.
Eric H