Hungry caterpillar Any Ideas?

[Tom D]

These pics are some from my mobile I took whilst off to a restraunt with the missus waiting in the car so I didn't have too much time. The caterpillars had completely defoliated what I think were privet bushes that were part of a hedge. the neighbouring hawthorne was unaffected as was the rose and the grass and verge planting, even though all these were covered in silk. My first thoughts were Oak Processionary Moth but having seen pics on the net I'm not sure now. The caterpilars were 10 - 20 mm long and 1-2mm thick, grey with black stripes and black heads, they appeared to be hairless. Since I was heading out for a meal I didn't handle them so cant say much more really.

Still, I'd love to know what they are.

[David oakman]

Could be a privet hawk moth or an elephant hawk moth.

[Tom D]

Deff not privet hawk as caterpillars are wrong size and colour, have to look at elephant hawk, although I'd expect that to be bigger too.

[nepia]

Deff not privet hawk as caterpillars are wrong size and colour, have to look at elephant hawk, although I'd expect that to be bigger too.

 

Elephant hawk you'll find on willowherb (if you're lucky); dark brown with 4 'eyes' behind the head; up to 4-5" long when mature.

[Jamie]

It wasn't this one was it?

 

 

Jamie