What is this eating my rose leaves????????

That is the most beautiful creature but I've never seen one like it before. I'll do a little research and see if I can come up with anything. I suggest you enter the photos in the competition they're amazing!

 

I'm almost certain that it is a Vapourer Moth but it could also be a pale Tussock Moth
Have a look at this site
http://www.whatsthiscaterpillar.co.uk/

[ 07. July 2005, 12:25 PM: Message edited by: Charlie ]

 

I've found out a bit more about the vapourer First of all its Rare and is of the Tussock Moth family. The female is wingless and never leaves the cocoon where it lays all its eggs and dies. When nearly full-fed the larvae of the male can be distinguished from those of the female. They will feed on a wide variety of trees and shrubs and tend to occur in gardens and parks and even really urban areas. The male flies mainly by day but is not easily netted so although seen may not be recorded with any confidence; records are more likely to be of larvae found in the garden.
The moth itself is rather brown and ordinary looking compared with the extraordinary caterpillar and can give you a rash if handled.

Have a look at this! http://www.overthegardengate.net/wildlife/archives/wl_tplate.asp?linkid=469

[ 07. July 2005, 12:42 PM: Message edited by: Charlie ]

 

He/she really is beautiful! Send the pics of to somewhere mothy, they might like to see that.

 

Nice photos.

 

Marley, What a Beauty, do you keep it as a pet ? lol you keeping the Babies ? lol
---------
Ladybird

 

I haven't seen this one, but last year in the local park I saw 2 pale tussock moth caterpillars- quite the most spectacular caterpillar I've ever seen in England, flourescent lemon yellow with velvety black bands and red bristle spike at tail end:

Needless to say this is not my photograph, but came from
www.treknature.com
As it was the best picture I could find to show what I saw!
I identified it after much searching from the same site Charlie found.
To add to all that, apparently it's not rare!

[ 26. April 2006, 09:58 AM: Message edited by: Liz ]