Someone suggested today it might be a Red Admiral, but I am as ignorant as the day is long about such things, only a recent country boy. I'm still in the generic stage, trees, plants, flowers, grass, a low tech yokel. _________________
The vapourer moth is generally distributed and common in gardens and parks, even in suburban areas of London. The males fly from July to September and have dark orange wings with a large white spot on the forewings. The female is almost wingless and therefore remains on the cocoon from which she emerged. The caterpillars appear from April to May and are a greyish violet with red and yellow markings and four tufts of yellow hairs. The larvae feed on most deciduous trees.
This is a day-flying moth which can be - and is often - mistaken for a small brown butterfly.
Food
Most deciduous trees and shrubs especially oak (Quercus sp.), lime (Tilia sp.) and hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna).
UKMoths has this picture of the Vapourer which looks much like your friend.
according to this site, this is a Red Admiral caterpillar:
Wise choice on the pick-me-up there Keith. Most hairy caterpillars are full of venom (nice word, worries everyone!) and though not usually too painful, can irritate like hell, for days on end!
As a totally indifferent gardener I am firmly of the persuasion that leaving nature alone to do its thing is best. I am grateful for the warnings, which serve only to reinforce my position.
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