It might have been the caterpillar of the entirely harmless elephant hawk
moth. Pity you killed it, really.

Fogey

"M" _&_.com wrote in message
.. .
Hello,

I noticed a horrible "thing" in the garden today and wondered if someone
could identify it from the following description.

This "thing" was moving on top of the soil, was about 3.5 inches long and
the thickness of a mans little finger. Brown and black in colour and moved
like a caterpillar but looks like a cross between a slug and a
caterpillar.Thought I saw several feet but this could be my imagination
working overtime.!

I attacked this "thing" with a fork and split it in two, not a pretty
sight,
put down some slug pellets not knowing what else to try in the hopes they
would finish "it" off.

Anyone any ideas ?
Thanks.

M