caterpillar

[majic]

took this last year

[nirofo]

It looks like a Northern Egger (Lasiocampa quercus callunae).

nirofo.

[majic]

It was quite large say finger size.

[nirofo]

It was quite large say finger size.

Yes they can grow to about 6.0cm in length, they are quite common on the moorlands in the north of Scotland. Here's a photo of one taken on Dunnet Head, I wonder if there's any left after the devastating fires?

Northern Eggar Caterpillar.


nirofo.

[Iffy]

Oh GOSH

Hid's a "hairy brochit" !!!!!

Used to see tonnes of them in my childhood, when we were cutting e' peats !!! I mind I loved them as a child and would pick them up whenever I could in e' hill whilst my dear parents were "cutting peat for e' fire" and then my hands would come out in blisters (obvious an allergic reaction!!)

Poor Mum would have a fit whenever she saw me near one - but, HEY, as a child they were "pets" Hairy Brochits !!! mmmmmmmm = childhood

[sprint95m]

These caterpillars can be very common.
Two years ago I saw loads in prominent positions high on the stems of grass, on the lower northern slopes of Ben Loyal in Sutherland. Also present were three cuckoos feeding on what I assumed to be these caterpillars.

Some of these caterpillars are active over the winter too. One December I saw a few fairly close together near Strathy Point.

Having, when I was little, also suffered blistered skin after holding them I leave them be now!

[nirofo]

Here's a photo of a male Northern Eggar Moth taken at Strathy a few years ago, I knew I had a shot somewhere, just took me a while to find it!

Northern Eggar Moth male.


nirofo.

[sprint95m]

Good photograph. Their colouring is good camouflage on the heath (but obviously not against these particular plants!).
What time of year do these moths occur?
I expect that I have seen them but only if I have disturbed them whilst walking causing them to fly away. Most of the moths I have seen along the coast are members of smaller species.

[nirofo]

Good photograph. Their colouring is good camouflage on the heath (but obviously not against these particular plants!).
What time of year do these moths occur?
I expect that I have seen them but only if I have disturbed them whilst walking causing them to fly away. Most of the moths I have seen along the coast are members of smaller species.

The ones I have seen and photographed are usually June -July.

nirofo.