Is this a pest?

[JohnnyD]

Seen on a shrub in the garden.
Does anyone know what it is?
Is an 'undesirable'?
JohnnyD

[fredg]

It looks like an Elephant Hawk Moth - Deilephila elpenor.

Did it have big 'eyes' on it's head?

[ronm]

Probably not Fred as there doesn't appear to be a 'horn' on the next to last segment. And far too early.
One of the Noctuidae. Probably Noctua pronuba.
Anthony will be along later, he'll know which one.
Not pest.

[fredg]

One of the Noctuidae. Probably Noctua pronuba.

I'd looked at it's little brother Noctua comes 

[ronm]

Possibly, but I don't think N.comes has the light coloured band on each segment, and does have a hump on the last segment.
Still not pest. ( unless ones eating your prize plant  ... if it is please move it to the nearest patch of dock leaves or any 'rough ground)'. Thank you!

[Maggi Young]

Getting feelings of déjà vu ........

http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8723.0 for more discussions on the N. comes and N. pronuba

[ronm]

 It were never proved, 

[fredg]

Getting feelings of déjà vu ........

Doesn't the dejavu have antlers on the 3rd segment?

[Maggi Young]

Getting feelings of déjà vu ........

Doesn't the dejavu have antlers on the 3rd segment?

I haven't the faintest idea - I have a lot of trouble telling which end is which with these things. 

http://www.hmbg.org/uploads/images/2107%20Large%20Yellow%20Underwing%20-%20larva-Peter%20Rowlings.jpg

http://www.pawsforwildlife.co.uk/brown_and_buff_caterpillars.php

[ronm]

Thanks for the links Maggi.
We can see this larva in Mark Smyths post, picture three. Definitely N.pronuba.
Still not pest!

[Anthony Darby]

I agree. Noctua pronuba. A pest if you regard anything that eats plants a pest.