Caterpillars are great!

[Jannyfox]

Found this little beauty on one of my asters last night when it was too dark for photography. I found it again this morning and though you'd think its appearance was designed to deter birds from eating it, it vanished instantly when I disturbed the stem it was on with the lens. A bit later it was back out and though definitely camera shy I did manage to persuade it to a brief photo call.
If it doesn't get snaffled by the local blackbirds it'll become a vapourer moth. It has another, single, black tuft on its rear end but it hasn't yet offered me the full side on shot to get its full length in focus.
Canon 800D with Sigma 105mm macro lens

Vapourer moth caterpillar by Jannyfox, on Flickr

 

[Nod]

May your Tussock remain unrusted!!! Pretty looking thing.

I'd guess that the hairs are fairly irritating to throats so it might not get snaffled.

I see that the males look almost butterfly like when their wings are extended. Hope the caterpillar shows itself again so you can get the shot you're after