Acronicta psi, otherwise known as the Grey Dagger Moth, is a distinctive medium-sized insect found across the Northern hemisphere. They're called Dagger Moths after the black markings on the front wings.
The caterpillars are vividly coloured, covered in white and black hairs. Grey Dagger caterpillars feed on the leaves of deciduous trees, such as Birch, Apple, Blackthorn and Hawthorn. They're not considered serious garden pests.
Most often, Grey Dagger Moths are found in woodland or habitats containing abundant food. This means that sometimes they'll end up in gardens and hedgerows. I found this caterpillar in the garden in Shrewsbury on a Beech leaf. The flowers on the mint attracted many bees.
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