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Poplar Hawk-Moth Caterpillar (Laothoe populi)

The Poplar Hawk-Moth Caterpillar (Laothoe populi) that I wrote about in a previous post has grown quite large – I am surprised though that the birds have yet to find it – it is over 5cm (2″) long. Here is another selection of photographs of this insect feeding on the leaves of a small apple tree in our garden:

Poplar hawk-moth caterpillar feeding on an apple leaf. Full length view in portrait mode
Poplar hawk-moth caterpillar trying to feed on an apple leaf stem
Poplar hawk-moth caterpillar trying to feed on an apple leaf bud
A tiny mite on the body of the caterpillar. This is an enlargement from the previous photo
A close-up of the head showing 3 tiny eyes on the side of the head
Poplar hawk-moth caterpillar in its defensive mode – it was startled when I tried to measure it!
The Poplar hawk-moth caterpillar is stretching out to find another place to go to

I find this very fascinating – you don’t need to go to the African plains to see interesting wildlife!