Macro Monday: New strange bug!
24Monday 23 November, 2015 by Uncle Spike
This weekend I was happily winding down after a long session doing some more serious chores in the garden itself, not the orchards, when I came across something that made me dart inside for the camera. All I was doing was trimming back some periwinkle – and then, hey what’s this?
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Now I’ve found a few interesting bugs and creatures here on our farm over the years, and haha, this weekend I found a new wee beastie 🙂 No idea what it is, with no joy image searching on Google. Do you have any idea? [see below for update]
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I’m guessing the hugs black eyes means it is accustomed to living away from the light; on the other hand, perhaps it’s for protection – trying to look all big and scary!
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He certainly seemed pretty placid, and not at all aggressive when poked gently with a stick. That tail might be a sort of stinger perhaps(?), but it made no attempt to jab the stick like a scorpion usually does.
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Anyway, thought this one was apt for my Macro Monday post this week. Hope you all enjoy it! By the way, did you notice the big fat tongue?? Weird. [see below for update]
SPIKE
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** UPDATE **
Ok, so looks like it’s an Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillar, and not a bug after all. Wow, that’s some flippin’ caterpillar then – learn something every day!
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Pre-Pupal Stage of the Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillar
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We also have a lot of Oleander around here, so perhaps no surprise, and yes, we do see some huge moths like this, albeit mostly in a variety of browns.
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Oleander hawk-moth (Daphnis nerii)
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Uncle Spike's Adventures 
that’s a great looking animal!! Love its tip. Are those really eyes? Wonder what it looks like as a moth…
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There’s a link on the post now – they are up to 6cm that we’ve seen here.
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OK…cool, so not that big
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Not that I’ve seen, but that caterpillar was 6-7cm long, so who knows!
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😳 arghhh
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Wow what a handsome pillar! Large lad ..
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I think I might have nightmares tonight …..
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That was very interesting. Some moth caterpillars do seem to be very large. I never see moths that big – thankfully!
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No idea what this is but must say he/she is rather beautiful.
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Interesting find!
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Are the “black eyes” really eyes or just defensive markings made to look like large eyes?
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Very interesting…whatever it is…?
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Found out a bit more… will update the post 🙂
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Hi Spike – I think you have a pre-pupal Oleander Hawk Moth Caterpillar there. See http://drkrishi.com/metamorphosis/ 🙂
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Daphnis nerii – check it out on wikipedia 🙂
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As we loads of Oleander around here, I guess it makes sense now. Thanks for the info 🙂
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It sure looks like that. http://www.downvids.net/pre-pupal-stage-of-the-oleander-hawk-moth-caterpillar-306018.html
And, it also goes by the name suggested by 2eOmca. http://drkrishi.com/oleander-hawk-moth/
What a big caterpillar it is!
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Agreed – love this!
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Spot on by the looks of it. Hadn’t dreamed it could have been something like that; looked far too big. Thanks 🙂
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np – we get Hawk Moths in the UK so the false eyes and the tail pointed me in the general direction 🙂 It’ll be a magnificent moth if it survives pupation!
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That’s probably down to luck with our chooks always pecking around.
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I’ve searched thousands of photos & articles of ‘larvae,’ butterfly & moth, one of which I suspect this critter is akin to. Can’t find a match. I think he’s adorable, nonetheless. Wonder what he’ll morph into. 🙂
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No idea…. I think he’s just a bug, rather than a caterpillar. If he is though, it’ll be one huge flying thing! 🙂
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Oops, I have never seen this maggot before.
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