CLOSED: Tiger Moth caterpillar?

This huge (c. 3") caterpillar looks very like the Garden/Great Tiger Moth (Arctia caja) http://www.garypoyner.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/wildlife/garden_tiger_cat_ball.jpg
but the colours seem to be reversed. This one has the burnt orange colour down its back and the dark hairs overlayed with long pale grey ones on its sides, whereas in the Garden Tiger they are the other way round.
I found three specimens while gardening this afternoon. They were hidden under strawberry plants and they were near Santolina and lots of couch grass :(
When disturbed they hid behind some masonry.

I do hope someone can identify them. I've Googled for them with no success so far.

Here is one uncurled....

I have found one which looks much like it, but it hasn't yet been named. Look at the 'hairy spiny caterpillar' section on the right, top of the first page. It might be a useful site anyway.

http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/

Thanks very much for that link wallaby - very useful.

Yes, #9 looks a bit like. Not sure that it's the same.......... and as you say, no ID anyway.
Really appreciate your help :)

I'm still looking, I have found a site which is for Northern Europe with heaps of pics of caterpillars, one I found looked very simialr when I searched for just 'Arctia caterpillar' and that's how I found this site. Unfortunately I found it was only in the very north of Europe.

That doesn't mean you won't have some of these, I imagine anyway!

I just found one which is a little brighter, my thinking is it may give a clue to Genus, then again it might not!

http://kimmos.freeshell.org/lnel/b/lastrifo.htm

Click on the INDEX for all the Families.

I searched for 'Lasiocampa' and L. trifolii came up in the UK Moths site, one is less bright but it doesn't quite look right.

http://ukmoths.org.uk/show.php?id=426

I think I have the answer - the Fox Moth, Macrothylacia rubi. I have found lots of good photos and it has to be the one in my garden :)
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nature-diary.co.uk/nn-images/0410/041007-macrothylacia-rubi.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nature-diary.co.uk/2004-10-07.htm&h=386&w=352&sz=47&hl=en&start=4&tbnid=giL40d2pmoY-3M:&tbnh=123&tbnw=112&prev=/images%3Fq%3DMacrothylacia%2Brubi%2Bcaterpillar%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4SUNA_en___FR205

I found it from the plates on the site you sent me the link to first :)
http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/images/plate24.jpg
#11

This message was edited Sep 27, 2007 10:37 PM

You could be right,

http://aolsearch.aol.co.uk/aol/image?invocationType=topsearchbox.image&query=Macrothylacia+rubi

But then again.........this one still looks good, LOL

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Lasiocampa_trifolii-Raupe.jpg

Have you seen the Fox Moth? I just saw your next post, you will have to watch for moths hitting the windows!

Thanks very much for all your help wallaby. I'm convinced of the ID. I am at an advantage having studied the beasties in the flesh - you only have my photos to go on........... lol

Oh, did you see the link to the plate that I put in You may have missed it as I did it as an edit...

http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/images/plate24.jpg #11

This photograph in the BF is the final clincher :)
http://davesgarden.com/guides/bf/showimage/1064/

This caterpillar changes in appearance depending on the stage of growth it has reached. Mine are ready to go into hibernation as is the one in kennedyh's photo. He has also put one in the BF of a younger specimen. It looks somewhat different and explains why some of the images I found of the sp were confusing.

PS I've bookmarked the link you sent. I have no doubt I shall be using it in the future - thanks again wallaby

This message was edited Sep 27, 2007 11:08 PM

Looks good to me, I find it interesting that moths are much more interesting caterpillars than the prettier butterflies.

Yes, it's strange isn't it, but you're completely right. Ah, apart from Swallowtail caterpillars. I just love finding those on the fennel, great bright stripey things LOL