AusBonsai

I came across what appeared to be rat/mouse droppings under my large privett a few days ago. So I put out some rat poison to get rid of the problem. This morning whilst doing my morning walk around with coffee firmly in hand i noticed that a few of the foliage pads of my privet where stripped bare..... well I got the tree down and had a look through and couldn't see anything, so I asked the missus to have a look and this is what she found. Can anyone identify? These buggers are HUGE.

Have no idea, but they sure are ugly!
I hate Grubs!

Ken

Howdy,
Check the pot as well. These cute bugs grew up in the pot.
Watch for sudden leaf drop.
Happy bonsai,
Bruce.

The look like hawk moth caterpillars to me. cheers Ash

They look like birthday cake candles that have been left in the sun

Cheers,
Mojo

Hi Philf555,
Looks like Hawk Moths (Family Sphingidae)

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=i&rct=j ... 4690630526

Regards Ray

They are hawk moth caterpillars. They love privets and jasminum polyanthum http://www.google.com.au/search?hl=en&q ... iAeI-YCQCg

Thanks Ray and Hackimoto. Looks like you are right. Thanks for the heads up. I have made an example of these two as a warning to others.

Such wonderful creatures. I have been fascinated by these guys since I was a teenager. About 95 species in Aust with many different plants as food. Down here we see them eating grape vines and they recently took a liking to my sweet potato vine leaves. I know they are quite big and can eat a few leaves but definitely a beautiful caterpillar and moth and never in destructive numbers so I let them complete the life cycle.