Tony James' photos with the keyword: larva

Like a Caddis Fly, some moth larvae also create a case to hide in, and just use their true-legs to walk around. Known as "Bag-worms", the case is often covered in bits of dead leaf pieces. This one had a case about 40mm long.

Sphingidae Macroglossinae Final Length: ~70mm Another view of the caterpillar, with the head retracted, showing the defensive posture. If disturbed, the head is pulled back into the third segment, causing the eye-spots to swell and looking somewhat like the head of a small snake.This specimen was found feeding on a garden Fuscia.

Sphingidae Macroglossinae Final Length: ~70mm The caterpillar of this species gives the source of its common name, as the shape, colour, and motion of it is reminiscent of an Elephant including the trunk, when it is searching for new food to eat (as in this picture).

Sphingidae Smerinthinae Final Length: ~70mm. Another form of the caterpillar, which is supposed to be fairly rare. They occurred in the next generation of my culture in 2013.

Sphingidae Smerinthinae Final Length: ~70mm. These are two different colour forms of the caterpillars for this moth. I've not seen a yellow one before, but they appeared in the brood from eggs laid in 2011

Sphingidae Smerinthinae Final Length: ~80mm. This species caterpillar has a distinct bluish tinge to its green colour, with generally white side stripes. Younger caterpillars have very pointed heads.

Sphingidae, Sphinginae Final Length: 100mm. This fairly common moth is the largest indigenous species for the UK, and the caterpillar can usually reach 100mm before pupation. The caterpillar is quite a colourful insect, which has composite side stripes consisting of white, purple and black colours.