I think I've found it on discoverlife.org, a fantastic website. I think it's Orgyia leucostigma, White-marked Tussock Moth caterpillar. How come I've never seen anything like it before? ...aint life wierd. I've left these pics and question on in case anyone wants to see it:-)

Ba , a bit scary , eh ?
Another world , isn't it ?
Well spotted and captured for posterity !

Haha, so that's why you asked Driad, you'll think me a fool now, should have seen this first lol:-))

That's why I didn't ask,Ba.!.Lol ..I haven't seen one before either,so thanks for the info..:o) x

Is it supposed to be in the West Midlands? Or are you on holiday somewhere?

Looks like something a fly fisher would create.

Its amazing - well spotted and snapped! Great photos.

Thanks Stera, I shot in to get my camera:-)

Hi Urbanite, I would like to be on my holidays somewhere, but I live in Walsall as does this creature:-))

Well Sandra, if you ever see one again....you'll know what it is lol:-))

I've done some further digging and think it is possibly the rusty tussock or vapourer moth caterpillar as the white one seems to be canadian:-))

Yes, it is a Vapourer Moth Caterpillar. The moth is unusual too, mottled wood-like brown with a big white dot on each wing that look like eyes.

I wonder why I have never seen one before Myron? Maybe it's global warming or are they common in the Midlands? Also the pics of the vapourer larvae don't seem to have black bodies which this one does. I seem to have made you the moth expert lol:-))

Haha, not really a moth expert, I just knew someone that used to go out catching them to pin on boards. Don't ask me why, not my idea of fun but each to their own, but I learned some interesting facts from him and one of the them that stood out was the vapourer moth. It was so lovely with what looked like eyes on the wings. I remember him telling me that the female moth never grows any wings, so it never leaves the house so to speak.

The colour of the Vapourer moth caterpillar varies from grey, through brown, to dark black, so I'm almost certain that's what you have.

Thanks Myron, how odd that the female doesn't have wings, I suppose there must be some evolutionary advantage to this although I can't think what:-)

Female Vapourer moths don't have wings because they don't need them. They stay at home spinning a cocoon while the male moth flies about collecting food then comes back to mate with the female.

I suppose an analogy of this would be a wife that stays at home and does the housework. She doesn't have a driving license because she doesn't need to drive. Her husband drives the car, spends all day working and brings the food home. Then it's PARTY TIME, Haha.

She doesn't even have to look after the kids ....I bet she dies after she lays:-(

Yep.

What fun THAT would be for us all !

What Driad...dying? :-(((

Tongue in cheek , Ba , of course .
What is the saying .... " life's a bitch , and then you die ".
Must have been a non-gardener !

You missed the middle bit from that saying Driad ;o)

I don't know it , Myron ; is it printable ?

Probably a bit sexist, so I don't want to offend ;o)

Best way , Myron .