The Lackey Moth (Malacosoma neustria)

This is the larvae of the Lackey Moth. I fell in love with these iridescent tent caterpillars, after seeing them on a warm May day near Marloe Sands in Pembrokeshire. They form vast silken tents for temperature regulation on hawthorn and blackthorn. The imago, by comparison is a dull brown colour.

Elephant Hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor)

I will start with a personal favourite! This beautiful caterpillar was spotted on the Pembrokeshire Coastal Path in between Amroth and Tenby in September 2009. It measures perhaps 6cm in length, and above and slightly back from the small head are some 'eyes'. These false eyes are for fooling would-be predators, who may think that their prey is actually a snake. When threatened the caterpillar will retract its head back into the body and the new 'eyes' will be at the front of the creature, hopefully scaring off hungry birds!

After pupating, the caterpillar turns into an even more striking large hawkmoth, with a green and pink furry body. I've been lucky enough to see an adult twice, but as yet don't have a photograph.