The field between Hailey Road and Mill Street in Witney is surprisingly good for wildlife. In the last few weeks I have found some quite spectacular caterpillars there – read on to find out more.
The first were some caterpillars of the Peacock butterfly (Inachis io), feeding on some nettles by the side of the path.
Then a few weeks later while I was looking for bush-crickets I noticed a lot of frass on the path under a willow tree, and looked up, to see these handsome caterpillars of the Buff-tip moth (Phalera bucephala) busily defoliating it. They were each the size of my little finger and were really tucking in. When I went past the next day, they had all gone, having finished all the leaves on that branch. Those of you who were at our moth morning last month will remember that quite a few Buff-tips were caught in the moth traps. By way of reminder, I’m including David’s photo of the moth from that day.
Then a bit further down the path was a sad sight – an Emperor Moth caterpillar (Pavonia pavonia) that had come to a sticky end (literally). I was suprised to find it, but they are apparently quite widespread in the British Isles, and one of our members found one in her moth trap in Witney. Emperor Moth caterpillars are also fond of brambles, meadowsweet and purple loosetrife (amongst other things), and there’s a good supply of all of these in the field.
So, the lesson from this is just to keep your eyes open wherever you are – you never know what you might find. (But also watch where you put your feet).
Sue Morton
WEST OXFORDSHIRE FIELD CLUB 