Moth caterpillar

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:43 pm

Found this on an Euphorbia pinea plant. Beautiful and large caterpillar. After some research, it seems to be a caterpillar of the species Hyles sammuti which according to a local book should be a recently described Maltese species dedicated to a Maltese expert on the field. But obviously this might be a misidentification as always

Post by **MWP admin** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 6:15 pm

Yes i confirmed mine to be Hyles sammuti from Maltese Country-Side (pg 183) and it does not say anything about recentness.

sammuti = by someone surnamed Sammut ??!! ( a common maltese surname)

It is an amazing beautiful larvae isn't it?

RB · Post by RB » Fri Oct 20, 2006 9:01 am

When I was young I remember there used to be plenty of nice caterpillars (that's my best description of them

) at Birzebbugia Valley (behind Pretty Bay) but now that area has been completely built over. One day must visit to see what's left.

IL-PINE · Post by **IL-PINE** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 12:34 pm

yes Sammut is for Paul Sammut - the Lanfranco regards moths and butterflies in Malta.

jackpot · Post by **jackpot** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:58 am

fantastic il-Pine, - and the head of the caterpillar looks like the bud of Euphorbia

RB · Post by RB » Sun Oct 22, 2006 11:25 am

Today saw a big muther of these in Wardija, about 8cm long going for a stroll on the garigue.