Anyone recognise this Catapillar?

Sorry no, what a fine thing it is though.

Actually I wonder if anyone can identify another insect. Last week whilst cycling in France this splendid beastie crawled along my wife's bike wheel as we had a picnic.

Looks like a Praying Mantis Bruce!

Blueknowz,
Maybe a pale tussuck or related?

Try sending iSpot a picture

Looks like a Pale Tussock Moth (Calliteara pudibunda)

The caterpillar is described as yellow haired, but it can vary between white & green/grey
Its common in England and Wales, more localised in Ireland.

My books on it say ....
The moths fly in May and June and are attracted to light.
The larva body is green/yellow with tufts of yellow hairs.
It feeds on a range of deciduous shrubs and trees.

quote:

Originally posted by Blueknowz:
Looks like a Praying Mantis

I thought they only lived in the Tropics!

Maybe it was on holiday too.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike-B:
It feeds on a range of deciduous shrubs and trees.

That would make sense I found crawling at the bottom of the lawn by some trees.

Praying Mantis is resident in Southern Europe, not in the UK though.

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Woodhouse:

quote:

Originally posted by Blueknowz:
Looks like a Praying Mantis

I thought they only lived in the Tropics!

Maybe it was on holiday too.

I don't think so Bruce. I saw one in Lourdes (ironically!) many years ago.

A Praying Mantis in Lourdes. I love it.

As opposed to 'tis a praying man'

I'll get my coat............bag........belongings....................

quote:

Originally posted by TomK:
A Praying Mantis in Lourdes. I love it.

Went to Lourdes earlier this year and was surprised to see that there wasn't a thriving wheelchair scrapyard on the outskirts of town.