RAGWORT AND CINABAR MOTH CATERPILLARS MAKE MY DAY

 

After the rural openness of the Wolds it was almost a claustrophobic feeling to be confined to the peripheries of both Swithland and Cropston reservoirs that provided us with something different with their expanse of waters. Bird species were few with just one Great-crested Grebe and with only one young. Several very dark looking Mallards and a few Mute Swans with not a cygnet in sight made up the total. Our hosts commented upon this later and in previous years they had seen many. Maybe bad weather with cold rain could well account for nests being abandoned and, of course, there will always be predation.
However, never mind the bird life or the absence of it because Ragwort - that noxious weed - stole the show. Decried by  humans but loved by many species. It’s had bad press from the BHS and the study of it is interesting. I knew that the Cinabar moth use it as the host plant for eggs and then for the caterpillars to feed upon. 

They are striking and the stripes issue a warning to most but they can be predated. Apparently they ingest the poison from the plant. 
Jacabaea Vulgaris
‘noxious weed or
precious wild-flower
friend or foe?’
myth and legend has no place
as we shake out ‘fake news’
to declare that fairies hitch a ride
to fly away with Cinnabar Moths
who dwell on
‘Ragwort thou humble flower
with tattered leaves’. ***
     
‘noxious weed or
precious wild flower
friend or foe?’
*** Reference to John Clare’s poem
The Ragwort.