Large Caterpillar

[sidkid]

Just found this monster next to a very munched fuchsia. Tried identifying online without success. Anyone know what type it is? Thanks.

http://i1383.photobucket.com/albums/ah305/sidkid2/caterpillar_zpsa8e4ee64.jpg

[Sam1960]

this might be useful

http://www.uksafari.com/

[hc4361]

Could be hawk moth

[boxtops]

Black Swallowtail Butterfly? https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=black+swallowtail+caterpillar+garden&sa=X&tbm=isch&imgil=EBaVQ8a_9wW17M%253A%253Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcSQWScOWjA08O77eiz2nx2tKKzrPhElFpP_ZS6Pi6ONCuWXl2-rsw%253B1600%253B1067%253BBacplPNIjH5SBM%253Bhttp%25253A%25252F%25252Fbarbsflowergarden.blogspot.com%25252F2010%25252F07%25252Fswallowtail-caterpillar.html&source=iu&usg=__V0VzqJNwR0JLmYKSuN8PbhuGeMA%3D&ei=2PbTU_X_HLCw7AakhoHIBw&ved=0CCQQ9QEwAQ&biw=1006&bih=687#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=EBaVQ8a_9wW17M%253A%3BBacplPNIjH5SBM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252F2.bp.blogspot.com%252F_HZ6F0QU6BAg%252FTDFOFIHGy_I%252FAAAAAAAAD-w%252FKREWBjofdic%252Fs1600%252FBlack%252BSwallowtail%252Bcaterpillar%252B6-30-10_1.JPG%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fbarbsflowergarden.blogspot.com%252F2010%252F07%252Fswallowtail-caterpillar.html%3B1600%3B1067

[boxtops]

^ no, perhaps not.

[Prudie]

Looks like an Elephant Hawk Moth caterpillar

[sidkid]

Thanks but mine doesn't have any yellow so I think that rules out the Swallowtail and I'm pretty sure it's not the elephant hawk although they are common in north Kent...thanks anyway

[sidkid]

Apologies to Prudie. Following further research, I believe she is correct - thanks again

[Chipchopper]

I agree, it looks like a young Elephant Hawk Moth.
The 'V' mark is at the rear end and the false 'eyes' towards the front.
Its probably been feeding on the Fuchsia close by.

[heathfield]

Nice to know there are people who can spell 'fuchsia' correctly. Our local B&Q can't!

[tonyav]

How did they spell it, heathfield ?.