[Optimistic Gardener]

   My lovely dahlias and English Marigolds have been munched until they look like confetti.  I was deadheading the dahlias this morning and found whole buds munched through and on some flowers 'it' has nibbled off just the ends of the petals.  I found a very large caterpillar on one flower.  It was about 1 1/4" long, grey with a creamy yellow underbelly.  I've never seen it before.  Any clues anyone please?  Said caterpillar has now been 're-homed' on the bird table.  Thanks very much.

[sunshineband]

Did it have a kind of herringbone pattern down its back, almost the same colour as the main skin?

If so, it would be an angle shades moth caterpillar.

[Yorkie]

Can't help with the caterpillar but have you also double checked that you don't have earwigs?

[Optimistic Gardener]

Thanks SSB and Yorkie.  I've Googled a photo of the angle shades moth but it seems to be very green in comparison.  I hadn't thought of earwigs - will check that out tonight.  Thanks again.

[sunshineband]

Angle shades caterpillars can be green or brown