Gwirrel's Garden: caterpillar

Showing posts with label caterpillar. Show all posts

Thursday, 1 September 2011

A Beautiful Day

It’s an absolutely glorious day here today… And I’m stuck inside sorting the last minute issues with my dissertation…

The sun has been calling me outside and I’ve had a little bit of a potter around the garden… and discovered something quite odd. One of the Sea Holly has been ripped up – well actually, just some of its stems but not all – and a cornflower. I wonder if Fox has been around? I saw one at the bottom of our road last night. Seems rather strange. I wonder if Fox or Cat was after Ratty? It wasn’t far from Rattie’s home (really must tell my neighbour!)

The Bees and Hoverflies are out in force again, and there’s a few Butterflies around too *sigh*

They seem to like the Gaillardia; not too keen on the colour myself, but if the insects like it then it’s a hit in my book!

And guess what else I spied?

I’ll try to keep track of the little fella… I’m wondering whether to bring it indoors and put it in a spare glass tank I have.

Copyright 2011 Liz.
All rights reserved. Content created by Liz for Gwirrel’s Garden.

Saturday, 20 August 2011

More Comma Caterpillar photos…

For those of you who have perhaps missed the previous ‘pillar posts, you can catch up:

Here
and Here

I managed to find a helpful website which stated that second brood Commas overwinter as adults, this means these dudes should hopefully have pupated and hatched in a few weeks so I will be able to cut back the nettles.

It has to be said though… I have been tempted to bring them indoors, cut the nettles back but leave some there so I can feed them. That way I can dig some of the patch up and not worry about disturbing any? But then there’s always the risk that there are some eggs on the plants.

So, today I had a little look at my dude, just to check it was still alive…

I’m not entirely certain what it was trying to do…

Then I looked at the rest of the nettles to gauge whether it had eaten anything; slightly concerned that the leaf it was on doesn’t appear to have been nibbled.
Anyway, what I found instead was this lurking under a leaf:

It is clearly much more advanced compared to little dude…

Now my curiosity was piqued I looked harder and found this:

This one is on its last instar, I so I suspect will begin to pupate very soon

It wasn’t very obliging for photos though! Who’d have thought these two larger ones remained unnoticed, I guess it must mean they’re actually quite well camouflaged!

When searching the nettles for further inhabitants I came across this:

Virtual cookies for whomever can identify it… *I’m sure someone will be able to!*
I've actually seen quite a few of them this year but this is the first time I had my camera handy.

Friday, 19 August 2011

Caterpillar update and a few bloom shots

Ok, so since I’m procrastinating from doing my Uni work I thought I might as well post some updated photos…

I hadn’t expected to see any difference in little Comma caterpillar dude (as posted only a couple of days ago), so when I went out for a wander around the garden. I checked up on him and sure enough he was still there… Inside I went to get camera and there is a definite change in him!

These little guys work fast don’t they?!

Anyway here we go:

What’s that dark thing near it?

I think it’s its old skin! It’s shed already… Interesting. So does this mean little dude is now on its 2nd instar?

The nettle patch is next to the Aster, and the Bees/Flutters weren’t too impressed with me being in the way… Well, actually I was nervous at hearing buzzing quite so close to my face, although I do love how Bees just get on with the jobs of collecting food… Little robots on a mission and nothing will stop them!

I cut back the Lavender and now have a fresh flush :)

Yesterday I might’ve been a bad girl and bought more plants… I was actually on the hunt for some sedum, so I don’t feel quite so bad…

Meadowbrown Butterfly finally posing for me

And a sneak peek at what’s yet to come; Aster Lady in Black will steal the show in the next month or so.

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Comma Butterfly – 1st Instar Caterpillar

Yay, I knew there was a purpose for me keeping the nettles; today I found my first Comma caterpillar… I just hope to see more.

Definitely won’t be chopping them back quite just yet… The things one does for wildlife, huh?

This little dude, is apparently on its 1st instar, and by the time it’s ready to pupate it’ll look quite different.

2011 Liz.
All rights reserved. Content created by Liz for Gwirrel’s Garden.

Saturday, 23 January 2010

Spring is on its way!

Ok, so I have nothing to report back on. Only that I am very excited to see the days gradually lengthening, I am almost at a point of being able to walk to/from work again - and boy is it needed since the buses in Sheffield are extortionate!! I can go much further for less in London. It's a joke, and also a rant for another time and place.
I just need to get used to my new boots before I attempt walking because no doubt I'll get half way and my feet will die on me.

Yesterday I found this guy, standing out like a gem. It was too late for me to attempt photos so I had to wait until today.

Who’d have thought a Caterpillar going into a chrysalis at this time of year?!

As far as I am aware all my plants survived the snow, however I haven't actually taken a stroll around the garden yet to find out, but all the plants close to the house and in pots on the decking seem to be ok.
Even the campanula hasn't wilted away under the snow/ice for 5 days… Still seemingly fresh as a daisy! I think I can spot roses in the front garden too, but they may well be mummified…

Definite signs of spring are all around me, buds, bulbs and lengthening days. It’s so exciting and I really need to get the veggie seeds – tomatoes, spinach and lettuce mixes.

Aquilegia leaves