Butterfly Conservation are asking you to use those small unused areas of your allotment to help out our insect life. This useful video on Youtube, fronted by Alan Titchmarsh, shows just how to do it….
Watch on Youtube through the Butterfly Conservation website here
August 2021
There are lots of Tiger Moths on the wing at the moment – creamy white and black fore wing patterns, the under wing is a pinkish red. Easily identified from a butterfly, when at rest the wings are at 180 degrees, butterflies wings are at 90 degrees. They are beautiful creatures – enjoy.
Contributor: Bill Young
The garden tiger is a stout, hairy moth. Its forewings are chocolatey-brown with cream patterns, whereas its hindwings are orangey-red with black spots. Its bright colours warn predators that it tastes unpleasant.
The garden tiger is a widespread species and can be found throughout the UK, however numbers have decreased in recent years.
Its brown and black, exceedingly hairy caterpillar is often called a ‘woolly bear’. The hairs are irritant and protect it from predators, such as birds – be warned in case you pick one up! Garden tigers overwinter as caterpillars.
Adults drink nectar from flowers. Caterpillars eat low-growing, herbaceous plants.
Possibly in your flower border!
Information source: RSPB
The summer is not quite over- enjoy our August roundup…
and, a very warm welcome to our new President.
Download April 2018 Bulletin
…and a recipe for a spicy parsnip soup.
