[KatG]

Some people might think this topic should be under pests, but despite this caterpillar being promoted in some parts of the world as natural pest control (the pest being Euphorbia) it really doesn't seem to be a significant problem here. And of course, as a Mediterranean gardener I cultivate, rather than eradicate Euphorbia. I was nurturing this caterpillar as part of a pilot 'adopt a caterpillar' scheme. It fed voraciously, its mouth parts moving so fast that I had to set my camera to a faster speed!  It rapidly increased its girth, but suddenly disappeared, which I attributed to the recent heavy rain. Today I found it hurtling towards the house at break-neck speed, and took it back to the Euphorbia, but it showed no inclination to eat, dropping from the branch to the ground again. I imagine it is heading for its winter subterranean phase.

[Alisdair]

That's presumably the colourful gentleman that Helena, Maria and I met in your garden just the other day!

[KatG]

Alisdair I think it may well be. There were only 3 of them since I was doing a little selective breeding!

[MikeHardman]

I agree - I expect the caterpillar was preparing for the winter. It will bury into the ground (or maybe just leaf litter), and make a small chamber in which to pupate. I did not know that they made such determined efforts to move away from their host plants, however - thanks for that interesting snippet of info. I can see how it might make sense. If they pupated in the soil below their food plants, predators could more-easily learn/evolve to exploit them, through becoming aware of the association of plant and prey.

Talking about the caterpillars disappearing: note that, while they are still above ground, they can be taken by hornets (search for 'Predators' on this page
- http://www.lepiforum.de/lepiwiki.pl?Hyles_Euphorbiae)

I like your adopt-a-caterpillar scheme!

[Fleur Pavlidis]

For those like me who don't know their caterpillars here's a photo of a poor pinned specimen of the Spurge Hawk Moth which KatG's adoptee will turn into.

[MikeHardman]

Thanks Fleur. If find them (all hawk moths) somehow special amongst the ranks of visitors to my garden moth lights. I suspect it is a daft thing about them being big enough that their furriness embues them with a sense of 'pet'!
Also note that the red patches on the hind wings of Hyles species are not generally apparent when they are at rest. It becomes visible when they are flying or sitting vibrating their wings. ...As here, with Hyles livornica (striped hawk moth).
...A little something to look out for.

[KatG]

Thanks Fleur, I don't remember ever seeing the moth.