Here's to the weeds!

In our efforts to make the garden more wildlife friendly we have been leaving our small lawn to grow as it chooses. It hasn't always been easy to hold back from taking the shears to some of the plants that have taken up residence. It turns out that one such resident is the Common Ragwort. Typically seen as 'weed', if allowed to grow where there is no danger of it being consumed or handled (it is particularly toxic to livestock and pets) it is likely to become home for these brightly striped caterpillars which miraculously transform into the Cinnabar Moth. Their numbers have plummeted in the UK in recent times primarily driven by attempts to eradicate the Common Ragwort plant which is their primary diet. It has been a joy to witness their arrival.