Vapourer Moth Caterpillar - Orgyia antiqua

I spotted this wonderfully-coiffeured creep-crawly near my cherry plum hedge. He really didn't want to keep still but then I suppose that with such an elaborate hair-do he wants to parade about and show it off :D

Hopefully I will be able to find it when it pupates and even better, if it's a female, when it turns into an adult it doesn't have wings.. cool!!!!

They really are amazing caterpillars, great detail in the shots.

Fantastic close-ups, Louise!

Yes, that 'hat' is slightly reminiscent of a certain princess's one at the Royal Wedding!;)

When I posted this on my Flickr account I did mention Ascot - it really does look like a fascinator. All designers need to do is take a good look at nature :)