Would someone please identify this caterpillar

[fishpond]

It has been sat on my broccoli in the veg patch for a week, it hasn't done any damage, wondered what it is?

[Kleftiwallah]

I get the idea it is one of the Hawk Moths caterpillar. But I may be wrong!

Cheers, Tony.

[Martin H]

I think it's one of the noctuid moths, perhaps this one: Lesser Yellow Underwing - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[fishpond]

If it is still there, I will take some better photos tomorrow.
Certainly looks like it could be a Lesser Yellow Underwing or similar.

[fishpond]

I assume this is the same one,all be it slightly changed.

[Martin H]

I'm not good enough to tell the noctuid moth caterpillars apart. This one looks a bit more like the Large Yellow Underwing, but they are so variable...

If you keep it and hatch it out into the adult moth, it'll be much easier

[fishpond]

I wouldn't know where to start and the wife would not be keen.
I dare not rock the boat too much as she puts up with a lot, including me and the chickens.

[Two_Sheds]

It has been sat on my broccoli

that should give you a clue, what it's eating. It's the cabbage moth caterpillar

[fishpond]

I wish it was that easy.
Reasonably sure it is a Large Yellow Underwing--therefore it will survive to adulthood.
The poo you see in the picture is believed to be from a snail which has since emigrated to next door.

[Two_Sheds]

The poo ... is believed to be from a snail

I'm sticking with cabbage moth. Why would it be spending its time on a plant that it doesn't eat?
that's def. caterpillar frass, it's quite mushy and has the characteristic dark green



Yellow Underwing caterpillars feed on the stems and leaves of grasses and docks, and when disturbed the adopts a 'c'-shape

Does your caterpillar curl into a C shape?

[Bill HH]

I am just wondering why you haven't squished it.

[fishpond]

I'm sticking with cabbage moth. Why would it be spending its time on a plant that it doesn't eat?
that's def. caterpillar frass, it's quite mushy and has the characteristic dark green



Yellow Underwing caterpillars feed on the stems and leaves of grasses and docks, and when disturbed the adopts a 'c'-shape

Does your caterpillar curl into a C shape?

I haven't disturbed it, also appears to have bxxxxxxd off.