Solved 2 caterpillars on verbascum and medlar - what are they?

Discussion in 'Identification Area' started by karaman, Jun 25, 2022.

  1. karaman

    karaman Gardener

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    hallo, these two were found mid-summer on verbascum (the yellowy one) and on medlar (the reddish one). what are they, the little critter made a real mess of the verbascum; i left it alone and have no idea what happened to it, they reddish one i transferred to the mangled verbascum
    Question: which butterfly/moth are they and how should i nurture them, dont mind them nibbling at my plants, i have plenty for both of us

    IMG1530A.jpg

    IMG1534A.jpg

    thanks, karaman
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 25, 2022
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    • NigelJ

      NigelJ Total Gardener

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      The second could be a grey dagger moth larvae, really need an in focus picture.
      Agree with John about the first. Mullein moths will devastate the common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) in short order, some other verbascums like Verbascum chiaxi are less palatable to them and generally some of mine get trashed others don't. The disappointing thing is that the rather lovely large caterpillar pupates into a small browny moth.
       
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      • shiney

        shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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        I agree with Nigel that, in our experience, the Mullein moth caterpillar much prefers the great mullein (Verbascum thapsus). In the area where we have over 100 Verbascum chaixii we keep four great Verbascum that attract the moths and they then never attack the chaixii. Chaixii grows to about 3ft high whereas our great ones reach about 10ft.

        That way we are able to have the attractive chaixii flowering with no problem whilst helping the moth with its habitat and the nice sight of the yellow, black and white caterpillars. The great mullein is not really suitable for small flower beds :noidea:.
         
      • karaman

        karaman Gardener

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        Thank you so much, very helpful info; such a pretty thing: considering the amount of damage done, there must have been more than one - i dont regard'pillars as a problem, theres plenty of room for all if each just give a little.... thanks again,karaman
         
      • karaman

        karaman Gardener

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        hallo,

        sorry cant provide in-depth pic of second larva as i have a phone that only takes rubbish pictures and the larva is gone, not to be found anywhere but it does look like it is the right one -- it is welcome, am so glad finally there are such critters in my garden

        thanks for help, karaman
         
      • SunnyGin

        SunnyGin Gardener

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        Last year we had an abundance of cinnabar caterpillars and moth.

        This year the house is no longer empty and the neighbours have been keen gardeners. I don't think I'll be seeing any more of those little "tigers", not sorry to see the ragwort go tho...
         

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