what kind of caterpillar is this

[suzy]

Hi everyone saw this catterpiller crawling on my backdoor step this morning, whats he come from, never saw one like this before (reminds me of a pine cone) put a 5p beside it to give you an idea of his size!!
Suzy
http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/3953/p9130004gr5.jpg

[nirofo]

Hi suzy

Looks like a Privet Hawkmoth.

nirofo.

[paris]

Ive seen lots of them on our weeping willow tree but haven't a clue what they are . Jan x

[spurtle]

This is a poplar hawk moth - quite common in Caithness now. Food plant is willow or poplar, and the caterpillar, at this time of year will be looking for some nice leaf litter to pupate in. The moth is a beautiful mulberry colour, and quite large. If you keep your caterpillar in a box with some moss etc, you may be lucky enough to see it emerge in early summer.