Caterpillars

The last two days in April we had heavy rain, so I didn't put out the moth box. On the First of May I was arranging my egg cartons and saw something odd. Something had layed eggs in the box, but what. At the time they were literally about 1mm long about 30 of them, I gently scooped them all up with a paint brush and put them into a container. Now what?!? I had a look through the moths of lately and found food plants, in haste to make sure they were fed I put in Meadow Sweet, something I'm growing cause I just love it sooo. They loved it sooo too..lol. As they grew I took these photos and ID'd them, Meadow Sweet was not on thier list of food plants, Oak is and Hawthorn, but they would have none of it. I released them all today over at Filsham on a large Meadow Sweet Bush.

The last two days in April we had heavy rain, so I didn't put out the moth box. On the First of May I was arranging my egg cartons and saw something odd. Something had layed eggs in the box, but what. At the time they were literally about 1mm long about 30 of them, I gently scooped them all up with a paint brush and put them into a container. Now what?!? I had a look through the moths of lately and found food plants, in haste to make sure they were fed I put in Meadow Sweet, something I'm growing cause I just love it sooo. They loved it sooo too..lol. As they grew I took these photos and ID'd them, Meadow Sweet was not on thier list of food plants, Oak is and Hawthorn, but they would have none of it. I released them all today over at Filsham on a large Meadow Sweet Bush.

The last two days in April we had heavy rain, so I didn't put out the moth box. On the First of May I was arranging my egg cartons and saw something odd. Something had layed eggs in the box, but what. At the time they were literally about 1mm long about 30 of them, I gently scooped them all up with a paint brush and put them into a container. Now what?!? I had a look through the moths of lately and found food plants, in haste to make sure they were fed I put in Meadow Sweet, something I'm growing cause I just love it sooo. They loved it sooo too..lol. As they grew I took these photos and ID'd them, Meadow Sweet was not on thier list of food plants, Oak is and Hawthorn, but they would have none of it. I released them all today over at Filsham on a large Meadow Sweet Bush.

On Nettle

Spinning the leaves together is hard work for such a little guy.

Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnet @Glyne Gap.

These caterpillars can cause breathing problems, rashes and headaches. The hairs are released and breathed in, or if you handle the caterpillars you might have the rashes. If you view this large you can actutally see that the hairs have tiny spikes on them as well.

Little tiny eating machines...

I happen to love this moth, they are stunning caterpillars, as an adult they are quite harmless, beautiful and an especially silly little moth . Adult

There are literally thousands. And no I didn't handle any of them, but we felt no ill effects from them, only the bitter cold of the wind up there..lol

At least two instars here.

The black thorn and bramble are nearly completely bare of foliage in some places. They've even began eating Dock and Sorrel.

I was just in awe of how many there were everywhere we looked. This tent shows many of the left over skins from them out growing thier skins.

Now I'm sure this is a Bramble Shoot Cat.

Poss Lesser Yellow Underwing