Another one!

My friend Emma has found another caterpillar in her garden, this time an Oak Eggar Lasiocampa quercus.
Despite it's common and latin name it does not feed on oak, but has an acorn shaped cocoon. 
The larvae change considerably through the instars, and looking at the pictures in the book this one looks like it is in it's final instar, which also fits in with the  larvae feeding from September to May and then pupating. 
The adult male moths are red-brown in colour and fly during the day whereas the larger, paler females are nocturnal and can be attracted to light.
Emma is looking after him, and hopefully when he has pupated I will get a chance to photograph the beautiful moth he will become.