Eyed hawk-moth ‘Smerinthus ocellata’. The caterpillar can be considered by some as a garden pest as it eats the leaves of the genus malus – Apple trees
The Eyed Hawk Moth ‘Smerinthus ocellata’ is considered a garden pest as the caterpillars eat the leaves of apple trees.
Eyed Hawk Moth ‘Smerinthus ocellata’ caterpillar eating on apple leaves
The Eyed Hawk Moth ‘Smerinthus ocellata’ will hang down in a camouflage pose. Maybe the pose is to imitate a curled leaf.
When disturbed the caterpillar will hang down from the branch in a defensive or camouflage post.
I’ve added these photographs to help with identification and to accompany my interactive plant identification, garden pest and pruning guide website www.rightplants4me.co.uk
Photography by Neil Bromhall
Photographed September 2012
