Heatwave Wildflower Discoveries
The invasive Prickly Sow Thistle in the first picture shows leaves and flowers which the Broad-barred white moth and the Grey Chi moth’s caterpillar feed on. It is called ‘Sow Thistle’ because female pigs (sows) would seek it out to eat after giving birth to piglets.
The middle picture shows a Cinnabar Caterpillar munching poisonous Ragwort leaves. The caterpillar itself becomes poisonous once it has eaten enough of the leaves to then form a cocoon in which it will live underground before the beautiful deep red and purple moth appears in the spring.
The third picture shows the invasive Ragwort plant in full flower, each plant can produce around 100,000 seeds and so its control is very important. It is poisonous to all animals that eat hay and will spread very quickly, so the school’s commitment to pull them out whilst in full flower is very wise.
Filed Maple
