A curious creepy crawly has been discovered among laundry, sparking speculation over what it could be.

After coming across the bizarre-looking critter in the garden of her Broadstairs home, journalist and restaurant critic Marina O’Loughlin took to Twitter.

She wrote of the creature, with its golden whiskery hairs: “Seagull has croaked on our roof unleashing a plague of bluebottles and found THIS on our clean laundry if you want to know how the whole seaside idyll is going”.

Luckily, users were quick to help her identify the beastie.

“Ah, I recognise that," replied one. "Not a vapourer or cocoa tussock moth caterpillar. It’s in fact a demon that has crawled through the portal to hell that recently opened up just outside Folkestone. Holding a cross at it whilst reciting your Hail Marys might help."

The photo captured the attention of dozens of people, each with a unique take on the mystery bug.

“Some form of processionary moth caterpillar? If so, don't lick it. If not, don't lick it,” advised one user.

“Aliens have landed!” declared another.

While some commentators recommended Ms O’Loughlin adopt her visitor as a pet, others had different ideas.

One suggested: “Come on Marina. It’ll be fine deep fried. Spicy dipping sauce. Job done.”

The sensible consensus was that the insect was in fact some kind of tussock moth caterpillar (Orgyia antiqua), which are commonly found in the UK around this time of year.

Despite being conspicuously hairy and frequently found on oak, vapourer moth larvae do not produce silk webbing or a nest.

They are not recommended as pets, or as appetisers.